Candidate nominations for Teaching Council Board opens

“This is the first time since the previous National Government stripped the rights off teachers, they can once again directly elect members to their own professional and regulatory body,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said.

Candidate nominations for seven members of the new Teaching Council Board are now open, with elections being held in March next year.

“This is the first time since the previous National Government stripped the rights off teachers,  they can once again directly elect members to their own professional and regulatory body,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said.

“The profession has been rightly demanding a return to have a say in how their profession is run, so it’s important for teachers to nominate candidates and vote in these elections.

“In the last elections of the old Teachers Council, there was only a 14 per cent turnout. These elections are too important for teachers not to have their voices heard.

“Teachers will elect board members from across the profession: a teacher and principal from both the primary and secondary schools, a teacher and leader from Early Childhood Education, and a teacher educator.

“Following the elections, I will appoint a further six members to the Board,” Chris Hipkins said.

Nominations are open until 25 January 2019.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)