Around 53 per cent of teacher aides and school support staff report a lack of job security, with many forced into second jobs just to make ends meet, according to a recent NZEI Te Riu Roa survey.
"Teaching is my profession and my vocation," says Bincy, a teacher aide. "But without job security, I am forced to juggle two jobs just to support my family."
She currently works on a fixed-term contract with fluctuating hours. Although she secured more school hours this year, she continues to rely on a second job at a supermarket to pay the bills.
Bincy is not alone. "Most of my colleagues work two jobs because school hours simply don't cover the essentials anymore," says Lesley Heath, another teacher aide whose hours were cut this year. "It makes paying for everyday living expenses a constant struggle."
NZEI Te Riu Roa estimates that only 10 per cent of teacher aides work full-time, and at least 54 per cent are on fixed-term contracts.
Teacher aides report widespread job insecurity and a lack of career progression. For example, one ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher aide is currently seeking additional work at other schools to help cover household expenses.
"Having unpredictable hours that change throughout the year is upsetting and demoralising," he says.
For many, the end of the school year brings anxiety rather than rest. "From year to year, our hours change. It is frightening, and the stress we all feel before receiving a new contract is immense," says Josie Sharpe, another teacher aide.
This financial instability has dire real-world impacts. One teacher aide noted that variable hours and an unstable income have made basic necessities out of reach: "I can't afford to see a doctor, pay for medicines, or fuel my car. We can't even afford an AT Hop card for public transport."
Teacher aide Ella described the bitter reality of living from pay cheque to pay cheque and choosing between paying bills or buying food. "All I'm hoping for is enough hours to have a liveable income."
Apart from creating financial hardship, several teacher aides say chronic job insecurity is placing a strain on their mental health and home lives.
Teachers and school leaders strongly support reforming the funding system to create a staffing entitlement for teacher aides, ensuring one is in every classroom. This shift will provide greater job security and budget predictability while ensuring consistent support for students.
School funding models force schools into no-win budget choices that also put support staff hours at risk. For example, a permanent full-time administrator with over a decade of experience was told in December of a proposal to cut her role to term-time only – a change that would result in a 15 per cent annual pay cut starting this month.
Nearly 900 teacher aides and support staff have so far participated in the NZEI Te Riu Roa insights survey, which has been running since mid-December.