Source: New Zealand Government
The latest report from the OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2024 shows initial teaching training (ITE) isn’t sufficiently supporting new teachers to be confident in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
It found:
- 62 per cent of graduate teachers were not confident in teaching content of all subjects they teach.
- 54 per cent weren’t confident in pedagogical approaches (how to teach it) in all the subjects that they teach.
“Building the workforce of the future is one of our six priority areas and it’s concerning to see our new teachers trained through ITE are not sufficiently prepared for the classroom. These results are significantly lower than many comparable OECD countries at all levels of experience, and substantially lower than what was last recorded in 2018,” Ms Stanford says.
“We are delivering comprehensive education reform, it’s critical our fantastic teachers are equipped with the confidence and skills they need to thrive in the classroom.
“The Government is working to lift the quality of initial teacher education through updated programme requirements, stronger oversight, and clearer policy direction. I remain committed to supporting teachers with training and professional development, particularly when it comes to the curriculum changes that we are progressing. I intend to announce further decisions in due course.”
Other findings include teachers are confident users of digital technology, are using AI more than other countries and want to keep developing in this area. Around half the teachers surveyed were satisfied with their salary, substantially up from 36 per cent in 2018. Over 85 per cent report enjoying their job, their place of work, and teaching itself, and over two thirds are they are valued by students and parents in their school.
Between 2018 and 2024, the proportion of Year 7 to 10 teachers in schools where the principal said at least 10 percent of students had learning support needs increased from 19 percent to 77 percent.
“Through Budget 25, we delivered the most significant investment in learning support in a generation. Our $750 million investment is resulting in a smart, system-wide reform that significantly increases specialist and support staff resources in our schools.
“We are firmly committed to backing teachers to succeed in the classroom and deliver the world-leading education Kiwi kids deserve,” Ms Stanford says.
