In New Zealand, more than 20,000 people work as teacher aides, assisting students with learning disabilities and special needs from early childhood to secondary school.
Although new pay rates were introduced in 2020, teacher aides are still undervalued and underpaid for the important work they do, says Auckland high school student Sammie Chamberlain.
Photo: careers.govt.nz / Getty Images
She and two others from Macleans College have launched an online petition for teacher aides to receive better pay.
"In today's society, money is value and we want to show teacher aides that we really appreciate them and all the hard work they put into students around the country," Sammie tells Corin Dann.
Listen to Sammie Chamberlain
By supporting students who need some extra help throughout the school day, teacher aides provide these young people with a fair opportunity to learn, Sammie says.
Yet the lowest pay grade on their funding matrix is just 82 cents above New Zealand's minimum wage.
Teachers at Macleans College are in support of the cause, she says.
"A lot of teachers say their teacher aides are worth their weight in gold… they really appreciate what we're doing and what we're trying to do for them."
Learn more about teacher aide funding in New Zealand here.
Read - Principals struggle with meeting needs, despite teacher aides pay deal