The number of teaching job vacancies in New Zealand secondary schools has reached its highest point in almost a decade, data compiled by the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) shows.
Just days before school is due to start for the year, schools across the country are still struggling to fill vacant positions.
Otago Secondary Principals’ Association secretary Gordon Wilson said it was not yet a major issue in Otago secondary schools, but many in the region were starting to experience increased pressure when searching for staff in particular subject areas, such as mathematics, science and technology.
"I’m not aware of any Otago schools that are short of staff for the start of the year, but some schools have had to work very hard over the holidays to fill positions.
"It’s probably not felt as much here at the moment, as it is in parts of Auckland.
"It’s an ageing teaching force, and we’re starting to feel the effects of that.
"I think this is clearly a national issue. It needs a concerted effort to attract more people into teaching.
"That’s going to require quite considerable work from the Ministry of Education, and I would think increased funding and remuneration."
Hundreds of vacancies at schools in other parts of the country are still being advertised in the Education Gazette, the Ministry of Education’s magazine for the education sector.
Term one starts next week, and there are fears classes could be cut. Big question marks remain over some subjects and timetables.
More than 300 jobs were advertised last year, with data showing a steady increase in the number of vacancies over the past three years from a 2013 low.
The PPTA described the secondary teacher shortage as "crisis point".
"There are vacancies in many subject areas and in many geographical areas," it said, adding recruitment was in decline.
"Principals are considering the prospect of cancelling subjects for lack of trained and qualified secondary specialists."
The organisation has previously described the problem as "chronic", telling the Herald such shortages put pressure on schools to fix timetables and ensure subject courses go ahead.
In recent weeks, the problem has been described as a "nightmare", and a "potential disaster" in the long term.
Labour’s education spokesman Chris Hipkins blamed the Government yesterday, saying spending on teacher recruitment had sunk during National’s time in office.
"National has ignored looming teacher shortages the entire time they’ve been in Government," he said.
"Their chickens are coming home to roost."
Critical teaching shortages had grown, as funding to programmes that helped recruit people into the profession had dropped, he said.
"Since they took office, National has stripped over $6million out of the TeachNZ programme, which aims to ensure an adequate supply of teachers in schools and early childhood services."
Mr Hipkins said it was now half what it was when National took office.
"News that schools in Auckland are facing a teacher supply crisis comes as no surprise," he said.
"Quality teaching is the most critical component of a quality education. National has ignored the need to recruit and retain excellent new teachers for too long."
In December, more than 600 teaching jobs were waiting to be filled across the country. Schools were struggling to arrange timetables and classes for the new year.
- By John Lewis and NZME
