Hello everyone
My story....
I emigrated to NZ last April with my husband and three children. We got in because my husband had a job offer. Before we left the UK we spoke with TeachNZ at immigration Fairs, no mention was made of any problems registering as a teacher in NZ. In fact as a high school science teacher, I was led to believe that I would be welcomed with open arms. Furthermore we visited NZ prior to submitting our papers and met the Head of Biology at one school who had done the
GTP scheme - it had been recognised by NZQA when he came to NZ. So, having no idea of the problems I had to face, over we came.
I'll mention at this stage the situation on one hand does not look good, but I think there are some moves afoot, which may gather momentum. I can only suggest that those of us who have done the GTP scheme keep on writing to the Teachers' Council, the Ministry of Education and MPs. I have the full support of my MP, he is going to speak to the Minister of Education on my behalf. Not sure if I can mention his name on here, but I'll be happy to supply it.
OK, the full gruesome story then.......I did my GTP 5 years ago. I had been a teaching assistant, did my training - all told 1 year as a TA & 4 teaching. I taught biology, chemistry, physics and my degree is environmental science (NZ is crying out for teachers especially of chem, phys & env sc). I was in my second year as a Leading Professional in Science (having been observed by 4S, noted as an excellent teacher etc etc). I have an 'outstanding' tag from
Ofsted & my school, a specialist science school, in Epsom, Surrey. In addition, the year before I left the UK, I went part-time & spent a year developing resources for our VLE (Moodle). I put resources on Moodle for all science courses from Y7 to Y11, including interactive quizzes, forums, mentoring assignments, science chat rooms etc. I have excellent references from the Ministry of Education, following a BECTA survey of the use of Web2.0 technologies in schools in the UK. I think you get the picture. Being an excellent teacher is not enough (apparently).
I was astonished when I arrived in NZ to hear that the GTP was not recognised. The Teachers' Council told me that I could apply for registration under Track 2 - you need to submit a package to them, detailing your past experience (any work that involves children), professional development, lesson observations and references. You have to meet a list of criteria called 'Fitness to teach' criteria and meet the 'Satisfactory teacher dimension'. So I spent 3 months collating this, going back a fair few years and contacting people who had cobwebs on them!
I waited for many weeks for the decision from the council, during which time they threatened to stop my application as it had gone on for so long. They are not the easiest people to deal with. I was declined because I was 'unsatisfactorily trained to teach', not having the necessary ACADEMIC qualification. This was why I had been rejected under Track One, so seemed rather ridiculous. Plus I had met all of the criteria they had asked me to meet, my former head teacher having signed it all off. Plus, I didn't see how they could even reach a conclusion on my training when they didn't look at any of it.
So I appealed....be prepared if you are going to do this....you have to go through the courts, hire a lawyer etc. I felt I had to do this to see if the Council would meet with me, or look at the training I did. (I had already offered to travel to Wellington, send in further evidence - they would not allow this & told me via my lawyer that I could reapply and put in my training material).
$2,000 later I have achieved nothing. To take it in front of a judge will cost many more thousands - just not an option. My lawyer in Blenheim argues that we have a good case, because the decision to not accept the GTP scheme is arbitrary. The TC says they are in line with international policy as it is not recognised in Australia or Scotland - unless anyone knows otherwise.
So I have spoken with my MP. Following the quite recent elections in NZ, his party (National) is now in government. He is on a select committee for Science and Education and is himself doing a masters degree in numeracy & literacy. He is going to write to the Minister of Education on my behalf and has said that he will speak with him personally. What we are asking for is that the Teachers' Council considers my case 'properly' AND that they look at the GTP scheme. I am waiting to hear what is happening.
Gosh, seems like I have gone on forever. You can apply for an LAT - this certificate allows you to teach in 1 school, in a specific subject, for a specific length of time in a job that the school has been unable to fill with a 'qualified' teacher. You get paid less (oh & paid less if you do get registered via Track 2). I do have one, but have only had three and half days work in the last 5 weeks (supply teaching at a school with 85 kids - Y1-Y13 -because I am living in the middle of nowhere!).
Now I did meet with the principal of a large school yesterday while I was doing some Moodle training and she is stunned. She has just been on a panel or other looking at the very serious problem of a lack of qualified teachers in NZ and is making some calls on my behalf. She also wants me to now take a whole staff meeting session on Moodle.
I have met a great many teachers over here, all of whom are astonished and very supportive. They all make the same cry - but we are desperate for good teachers. It is not the profession which is against us - actually they want good teachers desperately and will do anything to help us, I feel. So, it is NZQA (the qualifications authority) and the Teachers' Council that we need to deal with. As I said I am aware of 1 teacher who did get his qualification recognised by NZQA in 2003 / 2004. My husband saw him yesterday and he says that 5 of them, who had all done the GTP scheme, came over together and were all teaching in NZ). Naturally I will ask him for their details.
With the power of the internet, and being able to collaborate, we may get somewhere. I think Facebook is a great idea - can we share our details on this site?
Anyway do not let this put you off NZ. We have the most amazing life_style_ over here, if you can get over here, grab the opportunity with both hands. I've been milking cows, what a blast! I'm off to email the head teacher I met yesterday and I will make the point that there are a number of well-trained teachers who want to come to New Zealand, if the GTP scheme is recognised. I think we need the support of Head Teachers over here - difficult to find one to spend the time discussing your problem - I have only met two in a year.
All the best to everyone....don't give up, but let's rally.
