Huge turnout for teachers' strike

 A huge turnout as thousands of teachers rallied in Victoria Square today demanding better pay and working conditions. It's the first time all members of the education sector have rallied together for a 'mega-strike'.

Knights Stream School Principal Mike Molloy is calling on the government to properly fund the education sector. He says children now have more complex issues and needs. "We've had crises, we've had cyclones, we've had covid we've had earthquakes. You know, there's so many things that are layering on top and it's been really challenging to meet the needs of the children that have changed. So the needs have changed, but the resourcing hasn't". 

Following the rally, teachers took to the central city streets to march to the Ministry of Education offices in Hereford St. The strike impacted more than 800,000 students nationwide from preschool to Year 13 nationwide leaving some parents frustrated. Many schools closed for the day, but some provided child supervision. "I think people are desperate, I mean no one really wants to strike" said Molloy, "But we've got to send a really clear message that we want the best for our children. And the way to do it is to make a bit of noise and actually say, look at the needs, review the funding and put it in place for tamariki". The Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) and the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) have asked the Ministry of Education to return to the table next week.

- By Geoff Sloan

- Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air