There are vested interests opposing at every step nascent charter schools in New Zealand. Almost all of this strident opposition comes from the teacher unions, whose interests are being exposed as more self-orientated, than pupil orientated. The more they rabbit on, the more public sympathy goes towards the charter schools.
First there was the "ban"--otherwise known in union parlance as blackballing. Regional teacher unions, with the encouragement of their union president, Angela Roberts, pronounced that no state teacher, nor school, nor any other entity with up to four degrees of separation from state schools were to have anything to do with such evils. Strict protocols and instructions were issued, requiring, for example, that if pupils, parents, and teachers of a state school were walking down the footpath and a pupil, parent, or teacher, or a blowfly normally resident at a demonic charter school were found in the vicinity, all pupils and attendants of nanny state education were required to cross the road to the other side, thus avoiding contamination.
Then there was the directive that no union members would be allowed to teach at the horrendously wicked charter schools, at risk of excommunication from the union.
This was followed by the usual misinformation and deception. Charter schools were alleged to be receiving more government funding per pupil than union controlled schools. But, the comparisons were not apples with apples. It turns out that start up costs of charter schools, compared to start up costs for union schools are generally equivalent. Deceptive and misleading behaviour is stock-in-trade for the teacher unions. Why bother with minor issues like the truth when you are fighting for self-righteousness?
Then there was the scaremongering. Since charter schools could employ non-state registered teachers, the unions raised the spectre of charter schools being staffed by child molesting Neanderthals who were themselves illiterate and innumerate. Great harm would be done to pupils, great evils would be perpetrated on young people being taught at the unconscionably wicked charter schools.
OK, so how have charter schools been getting on attracting staff? Firstly, they have been employing state registered teachers who, by all accounts, have been keen to get positions in the new schools. Presumably it is no hardship for these professionals to say goodbye to their union membership cards, the fulminations of Dread Pirate Angela Roberts notwithstanding.
Then has come the latest revelation. Charter teachers in some schools are going to be paid much more than their salary capped state pay levels. This from the NZ Herald:
The teacher unions, and their lackey, the NZ Labour Party, have steadfastly (and successfully) opposed bulk funding of schools, whereby principals could attract higher quality teachers by offering them more pay. In other words, what is normal and very effective in virtually every corner of the country is verboten in state schools. Why? Because the teacher unions are dominated by the cardigan brigade, a rump of state teachers who have taught for years, who are tired, de-motivated, place-fillers. They cannot defend their salaries on merit, so they oppose to the death the idea that merit pay, rather than union awards apply in schools. Meanwhile, the great majority of successful, ambitious teachers long ago left the profession for greener, more rational pastures.Charter school pays top dollar for teachers
New Zealand's largest secondary school lost five teachers after a charter school was established nearby which could offer better salaries. . . . Both schools are on Auckland's North Shore. Rangitoto principal David Hodge told the Herald five teachers had chosen to move to Vanguard at the end of last year. They took up top positions including the partnership school's principal, deputy-principal, head of science, head of mathematics and head of English. Mr Hodge said some of the salaries at Vanguard, in Albany, were about $16,000 more than his school could offer.
Rangitoto College, one of the country's best state schools, has managed to attract and retain higher quality teachers. As soon as some of its staff got a whiff of salaries commensurate with their skills, experience and effectiveness, they moved--as all utility maximising, rational employees do. The principal of Rangitoto College, David Hodge was philosophical--showing he was well aware of the ridiculousness of the current union enforced remuneration regime in state schools.
"It's good for [the teachers], isn't it? If that's what they want, then that's what they're getting. It's a bonus for them." Other charter schools have employed experienced teachers working in their area, but none as many as five from the one school. Vanguard's principal, Rockley Montgomery, had been granted an early release from Rangitoto, for which Mr Hyde said he was grateful. "Rangitoto is a very big school, decile 10. I don't think David Hodge would have found any difficulty in replacing five staff ... There would be plenty of people who would want to work at that school." Mr Hyde did not know what his staff were paid during their time at Rangitoto, but said he believed the appeal to change was not money. Vanguard has nine staff.So this is how it is playing out. Instead of the fear mongering of the unions, highly experienced and qualified teachers are being recruited into charter schools out of the state school system. They are moving because they want professional challenges, they are being under-utilised in state schools, and they cannot get ahead in their professions because the significant obstacles.
Dread Pirate Roberts and the teacher unions along with their political arm, the NZ Labour Party, have Chicken Littled the introduction of charter schools. The sky was going to fall in and a fate worse than the bubonic plague was about to descend. But, as is so often the case, the prophecies of doom were self-referenced. Things are going to get much, much harder for the teacher unions. Their ranks will diminish even further. Their doomsaying histrionics will increasingly facilitate a more easy emergence of the truth--namely, the teacher unions are not primarily interested in school students or their education. They are focused on the interests of their shrinking membership. The two are not the same.
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