Teacher aides’ pay rise should benefit students with disabilities

<p>The milestone pay settlement for teacher aides is both good news for gender pay equity and for valuing the education of disabled children&comma; says Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission&period; <&sol;p>&NewLine;<blockquote>&NewLine;<p>The pay rates have negatively impacted women disproportionately who make up most of the teacher aide workforce so this is a welcome increase and also lifts the status of those working with disabled children&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<&sol;blockquote>&NewLine;<p>During the COVID-19 crisis&comma; home and community support workers who work with disabled people have been officially recognised as essential workers&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;In a school setting where disabled students may be at risk of falling through the education gaps&comma; teacher aides are also essential&comma;” says Tesoriero&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;Teacher aides help focus on the learning needs of individual disabled students&period; They can help ensure that disabled children are included in learning experiences and school activities which leads to better educational and social outcomes&period;”<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The increased pay will likely attract and retain more people in the role creating a more skilled and experienced workforce&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;We cannot afford to underestimate the benefits of paying fair wages throughout the disability sector&comma;” says Tesoriero&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;