Advocacy from NZEI Te Riu Roa has resulted in the classification of schools as 'critical users' under Phase 4 of the Government’s fuel response plan, but the union says this still falls well short of what's needed.
The education sector was largely invisible in the previous draft of the plan.
NZEI Te Riu Roa National Secretary Stephanie Mills said the union has been in discussions with the Ministry of Education and MBIE over the logistical and financial pressures facing educators, schools, and early childhood education services.
“This is an important signal that the Government recognises the critical role educators play in society and our economy,” Ms Mills said. "However, educators, like other New Zealanders, are hurting right now; this is an affordability and cost-of-living crisis, not just a question of fuel supply."
She said creating new categories of fuel users for Phase 4 was useful but insufficient.
“Firstly, the Government needs to be absolutely clear that both ECE and school staff are designated as priority workers. Secondly, yesterday's plan is very light on detail. Ensuring educators have priority access to petrol is important, but the Government appears prepared to put the burden of potentially extremely high prices in Phase 4 onto educators themselves.
"The Government needs to make plain that not only will it ensure teachers, relievers, and support staff in schools and ECE services can afford to get to work, but it also needs to make a commitment that they will continue to be properly paid and have job security," Ms Mills noted.
“If the Government’s position is that education is essential, regardless of the cost or availability of fuel, then it must also treat educators as essential workers,” Ms Mills said. “If the Government is serious about avoiding disruptions to learning, this designation must mean more than simply priority access to unaffordable fuel."
The union’s advocacy secured a win in late April with a temporary increase to the Relief Teacher Transport Allowance. The rate rose from 37 cents to 83 cents per kilometre after the first 10 kilometres daily, providing immediate relief to mobile staff.
“Our members are on the frontline of ensuring stability for tamariki during this crisis,” Ms Mills says. “It is only right that the Government backs its expectations with the funding and status required to keep our schools and ECE services running.”
NZEI Te Riu Roa continues to emphasise the need for prioritised funding for school and public transport.
“Schools must not be penalised for any impacts on student attendance resulting from the fuel crisis,” Ms Mills said.