A teacher shortage in Auckland will increase significantly, the Secondary Principals' Association says.
Education Minister Nikki Kaye acknowledged yesterday on NewsHub's The Nation that Auckland is about 300 teachers short.
Education Minister Nikki Kaye Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
She said initiatives such as Teach First, which helps provisional teachers become fully registered, would help.
However, the president of the Auckland Primary Principals Association, Kevin Bush, said not enough was being done with many schools struggling for the upcoming term.
"The Teach First project is addressing the future problem. But there's an immediate problem that is going to hit schools in three weeks time where there will be classes that do not have teachers because schools cannot find teachers."
Mr Bush said the government should make it easier for migrant teachers to come to Auckland.
Secondary Principal's Association head and Pakuranga College principal Mike Williams said he was glad the shortage was finally being acknowledged.
"The worrying part is that midway through the year we're 300 short. At the end of the year there's always turnover and we'll see even more teachers leaving Auckland as we do each year as they go out to more affordable areas.
"So by the start of next year one would assume that number will climb significantly."
Mr Williams said something drastic was needed and salaries were too low to attract graduates and keep them.