NZEI Te Riu Roa, the country’s largest education union, welcomes the $1.8 billion investment in Budget 2023 to fund full pay parity for early childhood education (ECE) teachers and the extension of 20hrs free ECE to all 2-year-olds.
Geena Fagan, an NZEI Te Riu Roa national leader and an early childhood teacher from Otago, said that the boost in parity funding to full kindergarten teacher rates was a historic win for ECE teachers, who had been fighting for parity for three decades.
She said the extension of 20 hours ECE free to 2-year-olds would improve access and make ECE more affordable for whānau.
"Full parity gives us the foundation for our next steps in ECE. We're excited to now work together for a fair pay agreement that will lock in this win. Improving teacher to child ratios is the next significant goal for ECE teachers to ensure all tamariki get the best start in life."
Recent media releases
-
Historic strikes to save our essential public services
Aotearoa New Zealand will witness historic events next Thursday when more than 100,000 essential workers take part in strikes around the country to call on the Coalition…
-
Hundreds of principals sign open letter urging Education Minister to pause curriculum rollout
More than 650 primary and area school principals have published an open letter to Education Minister Erica Stanford today, urging her to pause all current curriculum rollout…
-
NZEI Te Riu Roa area school teachers to join historic strike on October 23
Area school teachers, who are members of NZEI Te Riu Roa, have voted to go on strike on October 23, growing the number of public service workers walking off the job that day.