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Wairarapa MP, Georgina Beyer, has welcomed the release of the school staffing review as a further sign of the Government's commitment to fairness in education.
Ms Beyer said the review team was made up of representatives of seven education sector groups and gave the Government a guide to improving school staffing.
"The sector has laid out its priorities. The Government's role now is to start implementing those suggestions as fiscal and other constraints permit.
"Schools in Wairarapa will be sent copies of the report this week. There are changes which will impact positively on all state schools and I urge schools to read the recommendations carefully," she said.
"For example, it recommends reduced maximum average class sizes in smaller primary schools and the introduction of a new staffing component in primary schools called Professional Leadership which would mean funding for a full time release person once the school's roll hit 110. Currently a school has to have more than 300 children before they receive funding to fully release a principal from classroom duties.
"For secondary schools, increased management base staffing is recommended to assist schools to meet the changes in administrative and assessment requirements that have occurred in recent years. It also recommends an increase in the curriculum base staffing.
"The report also recommends more guidance and pastoral help which I know secondary schools are really keen on."
Ms Beyer said an important aspect of the terms of reference of this report was for recommendations that the Government could implement in phases over several years.
"The result will give local schools a clear indication of Government direction for school staffing. And unlike the changes introduced by the National Government, no school will lose staffing as a result of this report," Ms Beyer said.
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