The Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders will not be attended by hundreds of principals until the government makes a collective agreement offer, says NZEI Te Riu Roa.
Though it is not formal industrial action, Stephanie Madden, chair of NZEI Te Riu Roa Principals’ Council, says refusal to attend the four roadshow events is meant to make a statement on the stalled pay negotiations, which have been ongoing since July. Madden says principals have been asked to negotiate within a 1 percent pay-rise, which does not reflect the intensive changes they have been asked to implement.
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“Earlier this year, principals were asked to implement changes to the curriculum and deliver these changes at an unreasonable and exhausting pace – over three months instead of a more usual timeframe of about three years. This made our workloads unsustainable and caused burnout in our profession.
“We don’t feel we can engage with the Minister of Education’s curriculum roadshow under these circumstances.”
The Curriculum Roadshow is aimed at principals and leaders of schools or kura with students from Years 0 – 8. Keynote speakers include international and local experts on the science of learning, evidence-based education and literacy. The program is designed to support school leaders through the upcoming curriculum changes.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education said there are 1502 registrations for in-person events and almost 900 attendees registered to attend online so far. The roadshow will provide tools and resources to help with the implementation of the curriculum; these materials will be made available online following the event. Other planed supports will include teacher guidance and classroom activities, teaching resources, and planning and timetabling materials.
Madden says that though the roadshow is offering these supports, principals have already implemented curriculum changes in Term One.
“Many principals don’t feel they can engage with the Minister of Education’s curriculum roadshow, being rolled out this month, while they are feeling so unsupported by the Government. Especially as we are yet to receive an offer reflecting the volume of work we put into implementing the new curriculum.
“By disengaging, we’re telling the Minister that we’re not backing down.”
Public Service Commissioner and government negotiator Brian Roche said the roadshow was not part of collective bargaining and encouraged the union to “stay focused on the matters currently under negotiation. Reaching a settlement for their members is in everyone’s best interest – and that remains my priority.
“[The roadshow] is a government policy initiative, and public servants have a duty to implement government policy as directed.
“We have not yet reached a stage in bargaining where we feel an offer can be made to NZEI principals that would be accepted. Bargaining involves trade-offs, and to date, the NZEI has not shown a willingness to compromise on its claims.”
The announcement comes after primary principals voted earlier this month to take strike action on 23 October.
Related School News article: Rolling strikes this week for secondary teachers.
