February's Christchurch earthquake is said to have had a major role in the secondary school teachers' union and the government's settlement of a new collective agreement.
Rob Torr, the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) regional chairman for Manawatu/Whanganui, said the plight of their colleagues in Christchurch had been significant in negotiations with the government after the earthquake.
"It's been two years of hard slog trying to reach this collective agreement. We have had a huge need for stability for teachers and this really showed when suddenly government was dealing with an economy devastated by the earthquake."
The new Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement (STCA) has a term of just under two years, expiring in January 2013.
The new agreement gives all trained secondary teachers an average pay increase of 1.6 per cent a year over the term of the agreement.
Trained secondary teachers also get a one-off lump sum payment of $300. Untrained teachers get a one-off payment of $800, but no percentage increase to their pay scale.
The STCA also adds 2,775 middle management allowances by 2013, and establishes a Secondary School Staffing Group to explore issues related to class size and teacher numbers.
The Secondary School Staffing Group will report to the Secretary for Education by September 30 this year.
Mr Torr said one of the most exciting aspects of the agreement was the 70 hours of relief days allowed nationally for cultural teachers of kapa haka and Polyfest.
"These teachers had given up days and hours and hours of their own time to train pupils and to be at the two-day festivals with them throughout the country."
As well as the new cultural days, 10 one-term sabbaticals have also been allocated in the collective agreement.
Mr Torr said the sabbaticals were for senior management, assistant principals and principals.
"The sabbaticals mean senior management can now spend time looking at other schools and take time out to spend time on professional reading, and study. It is the chance for them to really grow as a professional."
The new agreement was fantastic, as it would also now allow Heads of Department to support second-year secondary teachers, he said.
"These are teachers who are still training and who need the specialised support and encouragement."
Meanwhile, Education Minister Anne Tolley praised secondary school teachers for accepting the new pay agreement.
Ms Tolley said the settlement would give certainty and peace of mind to students, parents and teachers.
"It removes the threat of further industrial action, and we can now concentrate on raising achievement levels and giving every student the chance to reach their potential."
FACT BOX
- The new Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement (STCA) expires in January, 2013.
- It gives all trained secondary school teachers an average pay increase of 1.6 per cent a year over the term of the agreement.
- Trained teachers will also get a one-off lump sum payment of $300.
- Untrained teachers get a one-off payment of $800, but no percentage increase to their pay scale.
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