BLOG: teacher-pupil ratios
I think that one of the best ways to improve educational outcomes for children is to reduce the pupil / teacher ratio in classrooms. UnitedFuture policy in this regard is aspirational. We support a 1:15 ratio for year one children, 1:22 for years 2 - 4 and 1:25 for all other Primary classes. We fully understand that this would require an additional investment by government in education, but are concerned that if we don't spend money INVESTING we will inevitable end up spending tax dollars MOPPING UP.
At the NZEI Teachers conference this week in Wellington, teachers were considering how to manage the decline in student behaviour, and were seeking clarification from the government as to what teachers are and are not allowed to do to protect themselves and other students from the violent behaviour of other students.
When I first went teaching it was not unlikely that a teacher would have one or two students with challenging behaviour in their class. Today that would be considered a luxury by many teachers. It is no longer safe or appropriate for teachers to be coping with 29+ students. Read the full text of this blog post.
