[Singel]

School may be out for star recruit

03.04.06
By Stuart Dye

A British teacher who arrived in New Zealand to start a new life is on the verge of returning home after the dream turned sour.

David Boulton has a string of qualifications from Britain, including two university degrees, a post-graduate teaching certificate and "qualified teacher status". He also taught for four years in Manchester, northwest England.

But the New Zealand Qualifications Authority has refused to recognise him as a qualified teacher.

"Apparently schools are desperate for physics teachers here, but that doesn't seem to matter to the Qualifications Authority. So since our return flights run out in July we will be joining the exodus from New Zealand," Mr Boulton said.

The 36-year-old spent $25,000 bringing his family here last July after being offered a job at Morrinsville College in the Waikato.

His wife Catriona has just got a job with the Department of Corrections, running courses to help prevent reoffending. The couple have two children, Niamh, 7, and Amber, 6.

Mr Boulton believed he had done everything required. He got provisional registration from the Teachers Council and was told his qualifications were acceptable.

But he arrived to find his position would only be paid $26,000 a year instead of the promised $50,000 to $54,000.

"We've really struggled financially this year and I face losing about $13,000 each year, so there's no way we can stay unless this is resolved."

The problem lies in the British qualified teacher status, which is awarded after on-the-job appraisal.

The Qualifications Authority will not recognise it because it is not "a formal qualification from a tertiary institution".

The authority said there was no recognised teaching pathway that was solely employment or practice-based. It said that was in line with rules in Australia.

Mr Boulton has a bachelor of science, master of science, post graduate teaching certificate in further education as well as qualified teacher status. He teaches physics to year 9 to 12 students.

John Inger, Morrinsville College principal, said the case exposed a hole in the Qualifications Authority's rules.

"Given the worldwide shortage of teachers, particularly in subject areas like physics, we need to be able to widen our qualifications criteria, without lowering our standards, to allow for teachers with different qualifications pathways to be accepted into our schools and to be paid at the best possible rate," he said.

Dr Paul Lowe, head of science at Morrinsville, said it was a constant struggle recruiting science teachers.

"To get a guy in his thirties, with a masters degree in physics and an experienced teacher is almost unheard of."

If the UK Department for Education and Skills approved Mr Boulton, then the Qualifications Authority should have confidence in that approval, said Dr Lowe.

"This has been going on for a long time and it appears a very good teacher is being held up because of red tape."

Lindsay Tisch, National MP for Piako, said Mr Boulton and his wife were exactly the sort of new immigrants New Zealand wanted to attract "but there are roadblocks put up at every turn".

"He is highly skilled and highly regarded by the school and they will add value to the country, but aren't helped to settle while others seem to get in with very dubious qualifications."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10375779

[Diny]

Poor man - he must be very disappointed and frustrated.

My nephews teacher came out here christmas 2004 to take up a teaching post near Whangerei. By Easter 2005 he was back home in the UK and in his old post. He said that the reality (on all levels) was a million miles away from what he had been lead to believe/promised.

Diny

[jubjub]

That is a nonsense, he has a teaching qualification with his PGCE, and is plainly more than qualified to do the job.

:confused:

[ruthyroo]

I think the difference is that in England an alternative route to QTS was developed a few years ago, and it is basically learning on the job rather than as a full time student doing a PGCE. It allows participating schools to employ unqualified teachers (reducing costs to the schools and allowing some of the worst teachers shortage gaps to be filled in England cheaply), and the teacher works towards QTS on the job, so to speak. I guess that the NZQA has not caught up with that alternative qualification, or maybe doesn't think it is the equivalent of a taught PGCE. To be fair, I don't think it is currently acceptable in Scotland either - I don't think the GTC will accept registrations from teachers qualified in England in this way. Also the OU's distance learning PGCe is not accepted in Scotland.

I guess it is a warning to anyone whose qualifications don't fit tidily into the NZQA / NZIS boxes.

And $26K - how does anyone survive on that??!

[Avalon]

Why is it that so many people have problems with NZQA???? It does seem to be the biggest hinderance for so many people trying to emigrate. If they are taking part in the migration process - surely they should be aware of such changes to things like teacher training and keep up to date with developements :confused:

[firstkings]

As a physics tacher just about to book tickets etc....I am slightly worried!

He HAS a PGCE. What is the problem. On the NZ Teaching Council form we are asked about whether we have undergone a formal probation year assessment. I haven't. I had a probationary contract for a year then a permanent contract. Probabtion over. Will this stop me being a "proper" teacher down in NZ?

Further investigation needed!

David

[willsken]

As a physics tacher just about to book tickets etc....I am slightly worried!

He HAS a PGCE. What is the problem. On the NZ Teaching Council form we are asked about whether we have undergone a formal probation year assessment. I haven't. I had a probationary contract for a year then a permanent contract. Probabtion over. Will this stop me being a "proper" teacher down in NZ?

Further investigation needed!

David

I think it's to do with the way he obtained the qualification - on the job training. Seems very petty to me. Especially as it is a shortage subject.

[firstkings]

Is that the problem for sure? I'm just a bit jumpy!

[firstkings]

Doh!

just re-read the article. Yes you are right. Sorry!

David

[Singel]

Letter from a NZ Herald's reader......................

Teacher's credentials
04.04.06

So the Qualifications Authority does not recognise the qualifications of a British physics teacher (MSc), and we stand to lose one of a very rare breed.
There is nothing new here, as many Eastern European neurosurgeons driving taxis will testify. They, like the Morrinsville College teacher, were lured here by promises that were never kept.
When working for a tertiary institution, I was regularly presented with letters stating that the degree of an overseas applicant had been determined by the aurthority as being equivalent to a three-year New Zealand degree.
Often we could find no mention of the overseas institution in any educational directory, or information about degree standards. How the aurthority reached its determinations was beyond me. Its seal of approval was worthless. Now the same seems to apply to negative determinations.
A University of Edinburgh graduate once told me the authority had disqualified his degree because no external moderation of third-year courses was mentioned in the university catalogue. That would also disqualify most New Zealand degrees, too.
Since higher education was replaced by profit-led qualifications factories, few of our competitive tertiary institutions speak to each other in a co-operative sense, let alone externally moderate courses and assessments. Is this rational or the script of a Marx Brothers movie?

- Duncan McLennan, Sandringham

[willsken]

Doh!

just re-read the article. Yes you are right. Sorry!

David

It is worrying. It's a long way to go if no one will employ you for the going salary rate. If you have a straight forward PGCE it should be fine. ;)

[Charlosparky]

Sorry to hijack this thread but..
My nephews teacher came out here christmas 2004 to take up a teaching post near Whangerei. By Easter 2005 he was back home in the UK and in his old post. He said that the reality (on all levels) was a million miles away from what he had been lead to believe/promised.

Diny

We are due to hit Whangarei around 4 months time (electrician not teacher) was any aspect of his return due to negatives with the location as opposed to the job? :confused:

[highlander]

We're due to fly out in September 06 (having now been granted PR :clap ).

My OH has a BSc, PGCE, and by July 06 she will have completed one year of NQT 'probation' and achieved QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) in the UK. Is this route to QTS recognised by NZQA or are they expecting all teachers to have a B.Ed or something?

Thank you

[willsken]

As far as I am aware she should be fine. Has she had her qualification assessed yet and registered to teach in NZ?

[highlander]

Thanks Nicola,

No, she hasn't yet had her skills assessed by NZQA or registered with the NZ Teachers Council. We are just about to start on this. (I presume you have to do it in this order?). I realise this may take some time - but hopefully she will be in a position to look for teaching work in order to start in Feb 07. This is the plan anyway.

Steve

[StevieD]

Can I just say I love that avatar Steve!

And welcome to the forum :)

Steve :nice1

[willsken]

Thanks Nicola,

No, she hasn't yet had her skills assessed by NZQA or registered with the NZ Teachers Council. We are just about to start on this. (I presume you have to do it in this order?). I realise this may take some time - but hopefully she will be in a position to look for teaching work in order to start in Feb 07. This is the plan anyway.

Steve

I would really think about doing this sooner rather than later if she wants to start a job in Feb. The largest portion of teaching jobs are advertised in October to start the new term in Feb.

Now the process of getting the qualifications assessed and the registering with NZ teaching council can be a very long one - for me start to finish was about 6 months and mine was quite straightforward! You see if you are not a registered teacher in NZ most schools won't want to know. :no

:nice1

[highlander]

OK, thanks guys. We'd better get on with it !!

Steve

[Debbie P.]

Highlander,

I'd go by the order recommended by Teach NZ (www.teachnz.govt.nz) - I've pasted it in below. Then at least if you get any hassles, you can say you did what they told you to!

Hope this helps,

Debbie


1. Have your qualifications assessed

Your qualifications must be assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. You will need to provide certified copies or originals of all documentation.

This process involves producing evidence of teacher education in the form of degree or diploma.

A statement of equivalency with New Zealand qualifications is made available to you to provide to the Teachers Council. These things take some time to complete and there is a cost involved. Check www.nzqa.govt.nz.

An NZQA equivalency statement is also required to ensure that teachers receive the correct salary. When you start teaching you will be paid as a beginning teacher until the NZQA statement is received.

2. Register with the Teachers Council

All teachers at primary and secondary level in New Zealand must be registered with the Teachers Council. You will need to provide them with your NZQA assessment report and other documentation. An application form for this is on www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz.

Overseas teachers must also display a high level of proficiency in oral and written English by achieving a test. You will need to produce a certificate or results sheet as part of your application. Citizens of some countries such as UK, Canada and USA are exempt from this requirement. A full list of countries that are exempt is included with the application form for registration.

3. Apply for a job

Once registration is completed teachers are free to apply for any teaching position in New Zealand. All vacancies are advertised in the official publication The New Zealand Education Gazette.

This is also available on-line at www.edgazette.govt.nz.

The Gazette is the official notification of any information that teachers should be aware of and includes every vacancy. There is a search engine which makes it possible to search by subject and geographic region.

In New Zealand, schools are responsible for employing their own staff. There is no central staffing agency and no government department responsible for staff placement. All applications should be made therefore, to the employing school.

Work through approved teacher recruitment agents. They will help you with the assessment, registration, immigration and application processes.

4. Get a work permit

The final step is to obtain a work permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service. This can be a bit difficult for primary teachers as the only shortage of teachers is in the Auckland region. For secondary teachers it is a lot easier as, currently, a secondary teacher only has to produce evidence of registration and a letter of a job offer in order to get a work permit.

[john g]

I am currently in the same boat having had my first application for registration turned down, as my PGCE isn't recognised. I am now frantically getting references together and copies of my PGCE syllabus (now long out of date) in the hope I can be registered on the basis of my UK teaching experience. I'll let you know the outcome when it happens, but until it does, I'm teaching part time on the bottom rung of the pay scale- $26000. It ai'nt easy!

[lockstock]

Very scary.makes you wonder if it's worth going on. However, this guy's PGCE is in Further Ed and that doesn't qualify you to teach in the 4-16 age group even in the UK. Therefore, sadly and very frustratingly, his teaching qualification is the QTS which the forms clearly state is not recognised by the authorities. Maybe it's time for NZ to up-date its criteria.

[wiki]

Very scary.makes you wonder if it's worth going on. However, this guy's PGCE is in Further Ed and that doesn't qualify you to teach in the 4-16 age group even in the UK. Therefore, sadly and very frustratingly, his teaching qualification is the QTS which the forms clearly state is not recognised by the authorities. Maybe it's time for NZ to up-date its criteria.

First time I've read this post and I was going to say the same thing. A PGCE in further ed qualifies you to teach at a sixth form college or technical college, but only to people over 16. It's not a valid qual for a UK or NZ high school where you would be teaching 11 or 13-18 year-olds.

You can do a Further Ed PGCE in six months whereas a PGCE for primary or secondary it takes a year and is more intensive on the teaching side. Further Ed is much less classroom based.

The school shouldn't have offered him a job on that qualification alone.