Education roadshow collects signatures for petition

Making their way around the country in their colourful campervan members of the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI) have stopped in at Rotokawa School.

The Better Funding, Better Learning Heartland Tour was launched on February 8 with principals, teachers, teacher aides and school administration staff urging local parents and families to support the call for better funding for education.

After four weeks in the South Island, and four weeks in the North, they have been visiting Taupo, Rotorua, Putaruru and Taumarunui this week.

Every day more than 200 signatures are collected on a national petition, and the same number of signed postcards are bundled and posted to members of Parliament as the campaign gets the message out.

The Heartland campaign campervan will have visited almost every corner of the country from Bluff to the Far North when the tour finishes at Parliament at the end of June.

The campaign is the first partnership between the NZEI and Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA).

The NZEI team bring their colourful caravan to Rotokawa School. Photo/Stephen Parker

NZEI branch president for Rotorua and St Michael's Catholic School teacher Marion Brits led the talks at Rotokawa School.

"As teachers we're putting hands into our own pockets to benefit the kids," she said.

"Teachers' stress levels are going up and the parents don't understand."

Mrs Brits said it's important for the Government to put money into children's lives now so it was not having to put money in to fix problems later.

PPTA field officer Jason Smythe said it was about making an investment.

"That whole concept of better funding, better learning, it's common sense," he said.

"Partnering is important, because there's pressures on teachers from early childhood right through to secondary."

Rotokawa School principal Briar Stewart said all principals were feeling that pressure.

"We're all looking after the hearts and souls of our little people and their learning, that should be a priority," she said.

"Our collective voice is really important, education is fortunate that we have a team behind us in the shape of our union."

NZEI is hosting a talk at Third Place Cafe from 4.15pm-6pm on May 18, coffee and cake provided.

For more information visit www.betterfunding.org.nz.