COMMENT: One of the great privileges of working in schools is that we get to share in the success of our students. Although it is lovely to bask in the reflected glory of outstanding achievement in sports, culture and academia it is the "every day" success that provides me with
James Morris: Finest teachers needed to ensure students succeed
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We can only bring out the best in all of our students if we make teacher supply a priority.
I am hugely optimistic and positive about the future of New Zealand education but we have got to keep our eye on what we know we need. We have to attract the best to teaching and we have to keep them there. We need the conditions that give the support for teachers to do their jobs well.
It is easy to criticise those who are not in schools but who make decision about schools, as being out of touch with the reality of school life. To an extent this is unfair because the politicians and government officials I have interacted with appear to be working hard to make a positive difference. I do however want to emphasise the urgency with which this challenge needs to be addressed.
Every hour, every day and week without the best teacher with a student is an opportunity lost - an opportunity that is not easily recovered. Hours and days and weeks and terms are flying on by. We can only bring out the best in all of our students if we make teacher supply a priority.
• James Morris is chairman of the NZ Secondary Principals' Council and the principal of Darfield High School.