Opportunities still exist for certified teachers in New Zealand

Every year, a number of teachers complete their teacher training in New Zealand. However, the number of new teachers trained in New Zealand each year is insufficient to meet the country’s needs.  

New Zealand is a country with a longstanding shortage of teachers. Teaching is a profession that always appears on New Zealand’s skills shortage lists, and as such, the country welcomes many migrant teachers to its shores each year.

STUDENT TEACHERS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR PRACTICAL TRAINING

Teaching experience is an essential component of a trainee teacher’s education, but teacher training has been disrupted this year, by the coronavirus pandemic.

New Zealand’s teaching council says that trainee teachers are not able to get the required number of hours of practical classroom training in schools this year, due to disruptions caused by lockdown restrictions.

TEACHING COUNCIL ADJUSTS PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT TEACHERS

As a consequence of the reduced ability to complete practical training in schools, the teaching council of New Zealand has lowered the practical requirements for new teachers to obtain their qualifications, and be ready to enter schools next year.

Lesley Hoskin, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Teaching Council said that the impact of the lockdown was unfair to student teachers.

“Research has shown us the importance of effective practical experience. So, we are looking at flexible and pragmatic options that ensure graduates’ preparedness to teach, but that take into account the current unprecedented reality of schools, centres and kura (Maori–language immersion schools) being in lockdown,” Hoskins said.

PRACTICAL TEACHING REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT TEACHERS

Student teachers in New Zealand are expected to complete between 14 and 20 weeks of practical training. Many student teachers, however, will be unable to meet this requirement.

The teaching council’s deputy chief executive Pauline Barnes said the council was being flexible about how teaching experience is gained in 2020. She said that the council would also take into consideration any digital teaching that student teachers have completed.   

“This is not a lowering of standards, rather a realistic solution to a COVID-related challenge student teachers face,” Barnes said.

RECRUITMENT OF TEACHERS FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY IS NOT POSSIBLE

New Zealand’s chronic teacher shortage will be exacerbated next year since the country is still under lockdown and borders are closed to foreigners.

Every year, New Zealand recruits many teachers from countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom, to fill vacancies in the country’s schools.

The teacher shortage presents an opportunity to South African qualified teachers based in New Zealand, who are seeking employment as teachers.