Statement from the Education Council Board: fees decision delayed

The Education Council Board met this week and discussed the question of teachers’ fees, among other things.

As you know, we consulted last year with teachers on proposed changes to fees. The level of engagement was impressive, with more than 10,000 responses received from the sector. These were fully considered by the Education Council Board, over several meetings.

At its meeting on 27 September 2017, the Council decided on the fees proposal but agreed that it was too early to announce it given the general election and the possibility of a change in Government.

Since then, the new Government has introduced a Bill to Parliament which would change the name and governance structure of the Council.  The Minister announced a three-year work programme to bring about significant change to the education sector, which may have implications for the Education Council.

We’re supportive of a direction that values teachers and strengthens the profession.The Council does not want to charge teachers any more fees than needed to perform its statutory functions, governance and to run the Council. Once the legislation has passed we will have more certainty about what that means for the Council and your fees.

We will keep you informed along the way.

For now, the fees will remain the same.

Barbara Ala’alatoa
Board Chair