April 27, 2023
Principals resolute as work ban starts
The principal of a Te Kuiti Māori medium school says industrial action is necessary to get recognition for the workload principals carry.
From Monday primary and area school principals who are members of NZEI Te Riu Roa have refused to do after-hours mahi as well as any work for the Education Ministry, such as collating data or implementing the Curriculum Refresh.
Denise Marshall from Te Wharekura o Maniapoto says the well-being of principals needs to be addressed before more leave becouse of inadequate resourcing and high workload.
“We need to be acknowledged and recognised for what we are actually doing and it certainly has changed over the last three years in consideration of the Covid we’ve had to navigate and deal with. The workload just increases,” she says.
Ms Marshall says the principals’ action has the support of parents and the wider community who understand the workload they are carrying.