A teachers union says its concerns about plans to put unqualified trainee teachers in charge of classrooms have gone ignored.
Photo: 123RF
A bill going through Parliament will allow the Education Ministry to create teaching jobs only student teachers can apply for.
The proposed change comes after the Employment Relations Authority ruled that jobs occupied by student teachers in the Teach First training programme must be advertised like any other teaching jobs.
The Education and Science Select Committee has now made recommendations for small changes such as around the definition of a trainee teacher.
Educational Institute president Louise Green said that failed to address concerns that untrained teachers would be in charge of educating children.
"We would like to have seen a surety that actually only trained, qualified, registered teachers of current practising certificates were able to teach children.
"If we really believe in the value of teaching, the quality of teaching, it's absolutely essential and that is the bottom line."
She said no parent would want an unqualified trainee teaching their children.
The Education Legislation Bill will now go to its second reading.