New Zealand Teachers Council's Purpose
The purpose of the New Zealand Teachers Council is to provide:
- professional leadership in teaching
- enhance the professional status of teachers in schools and early childhood education and
- contribute to a safe and high quality teaching and learning environment for children and other learners. (Section 139AA Education Act 1989)
In fulfilling this purpose, the New Zealand Teachers Council (the Council) promotes the profession of teaching and encourages teachers to strive to attain the highest standards of professional service. Through this, the Council influences the quality of teaching, and consequently the educational outcomes for children and young people in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Teachers Council is positioned so that it can work interdependently with the Government, the profession and agencies involved in the sector, in the best interests of the teaching profession and learners.
Guiding principles
In carrying out its purpose the New Zealand Teachers Council will:
- work with other agencies and organisations in education to promote a quality teaching profession
- work towards ensuring that the Council's operations are in keeping with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
- assist employing authorities in meeting their obligations under the Act
- establish working relationships with registration or licensing authorities in other countries and implement the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition agreement with Australian states
- consult teacher and employer organisations and advise other bodies involved in the accreditation of qualifications and in the selection, appraisal and supply of teachers into education
- consult with the Minister over major policy changes
- maintain a high quality professional profile in its activities and communications and look for ways to improve its services to inform teachers and employers
- pursue equal employment opportunities for all staff and operate a personnel policy that complies with the State Sector Act.