Currently the Teaching Council is the independent professional body that oversees training, standards and registration as set by the Education and Training Act.
NZEI Te Riu Roa has signed a statement alongside PPTA Te Wehengarua, NZ Principals Federation and Te Akatea, saying that the oversight of initial teacher education should be “by profession, for profession”.
Martyn Weatherill, principal at Laingholm Primary School and NZEI Te Riu Roa national executive member, said this is clearly an example of Government overreach.
“Just as doctors have their Medical Council, which is rightly kept separate from the Ministry of Health, New Zealand teachers have the Teaching Council," Weatherill said.
“Direct political control of professional programmes and standards would be political interference.”
The joint statement says no evidence has been provided by the Ministry about how it could improve initial teacher education, and it has neither the capability, capacity nor confidence from the profession to take on this role.
Weatherill has called the consultation period, with a deadline of September 20, “inadequate”.
“This is a major proposal that the Government is trying to rush through alongside all the other changes to our education system,” he said.
“We are saying today – stop and consult us properly.”
