Auckland’s primary and intermediate principals have shared concerns about the current educational landscape, with 77 percent reporting a negative or very negative outlook, according to a recent survey.
The Auckland Primary Principals’ Association (APPA) survey found the majority of the 256 respondents had significant worries about the current state of education, with the pace and volume of change among top concerns. Only 4 percent reported feeling ‘very positive’ about the current landscape, with 12 percent saying they felt ‘positive’ and 7 percent ‘neutral’.
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Respondents were also asked for their views on Ministry of Education (MoE) funded resources and Professional Learning and Development for maths and English. Results were mixed.
In maths, where this year’s promised curriculum ‘refresh’ was more complex and comprehensive than expected, 35 percent approved of the provided PLD and 47 percent viewed the resources positively. Some respondents explained that the departure from previous curriculum drafts had led to wasted PLD time, as well as money spent on new resources which were now misaligned with each year’s standards.
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Primary and intermediate schools can order funded maths resources from four approved providers, with the ability to choose a different provider for each phase. Schools have also been given additional discretionary funds for structured literacy resources.
For English, 46 percent of primary and intermediate principals found the provided PLD to be positive or very positive, but only 33 percent approved of the resources.
In both English and maths, principals reported the pace of change as a significant concern, with many feeling that sweeping changes were being made too quickly for students and teachers to keep up.
Other questions put to principals in the APPA report centered on changes to the structure of the Teaching Council, and the removal of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, both of which were met with an overwhelmingly negative outlook by respondents.
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The removal of the requirement to give effect to Te Tiriti was viewed negatively by 78 percent of respondents, with 12 percent reporting neutrality and 6 percent finding it to be a positive or very positive move. The report describes the removal being seen as a “backwards step” that is “a politically motivated move” which endangers equity. A significant number shared their intention to continue upholding Te Tiriti, regardless of legislation.
Criticism was also directed at the changes to the core functions and governance structure of the Teaching Council, with 79 percent viewing changes to core functions negatively and 80 percent disagreeing with changes overall. The report suggests respondents viewed the changes as “undermining the independence and professionalism of the Teaching Council”.
APPA states that, as a result of findings, it will take three key actions, namely:
- Presenting the Minister for Education with an alternative roadmap for curriculum change
- Creating a position statement to support the reinstatement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi for school boards
- Creating a position statement expressing the need for an independent Teaching Council.
