Parents are being asked to pick up their kids early from school this week as hundreds of Northland educators meet over a government funding proposal they fear will see teachers traded off against other costs.
The Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) and New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) have called two paid union meetings in Northland this week which will focus on key proposals in the government funding review - including the introduction of a "global budget" which they say will decrease wages and force schools to choose between spending on quality staff or other resources.
Parents of students from several schools in the region have been asked to pick there kids up early because of the meeting, although not all schools are closing and some will have non-union staff on site to supervise.
Pat Newman, Te Tai Tokerau Principals' Association president and Hora Hora Primary School principal, says the global budget proposal is essentially bulk funding.
"The minister says it is not bulk funding and she is correct. It is not the same as what we had. But if you've got something that looks like a pig, smells like a pig and lives in a pigsty you can call it a giraffe but it's still a pig," he said.