Listen Now: 
Maori immersion teachers are to get an increased allowance under a new collective agreement ratified by primary school teachers.
The agreement includes a two per cent pay increase for all teachers.
Teachers who take groups to Polyfest and Te Mana Kuratahi, the national primary schools’ kapa haka competition, will get paid release time.
Those who work in level one Te Reo immersion settings will receive an additional $2000 per annum after three years continuous service, increasing to $4000 per annum after six years of continuous service.
NZEI Te Riu Roa president Louise Green said the settlement was a positive recognition of the high value of te reo kaiako.
She says the union has to negotiate hard with the Ministry of Education for every gain, and it’s proud of achieving a small but significant breakthrough for teachers of te reo and those who train and support kapa haka and Polyfest performing groups.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
