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About UsBelow is a list of commonly asked questions. If you have a question that you would like added to this list please email education@teacherscouncil.govt.nz
Commonly Asked Questions
Where did the idea for a Teachers Council come from?Teachers had been proposing a unified professional organisation for teachers for 50 years. The proposal to establish the Teachers Council was supported by major political parties and by the NZEI, the PPTA and the School Trustees Association (STA).
When was the Teachers Council established?On 1 February 2002, as an enactment of the Education Standards Act 2001.
What is the Teachers Council?The Teachers Council is a professional body that represents teachers in the same way that the Nursing Council represents nurses and other professional societies represent their professions. It replaced the Teacher Registration Board (TRB), and has much wider functions. It is a voice for teachers that promotes teaching as a profession and enhances the standing of teachers in our communities.
How is the Teachers Council different from the TRB?The TRB's functions were to approve initial teacher education, register teachers and de-register teachers. It was a Government appointed administrative body. The Teachers Council is the teachers professional organisation. It has taken on the functions of the TRB but also has much wider additional responsibilities.
How is the Teachers Council different from the NZEI and the PPTA?The Teachers Council is a professional organisation not a union. Its function is to lead and develop the profession of teaching. It will not be involved in industrial relations between teachers and their employers. In addition, its membership is much wider, covering the early childhood, primary and secondary sectors.
What does the Teachers Council do?The Education Standards Act 2001 states that the purpose of the Teachers Council is to provide professional leadership in teaching, enhance the professional status of teachers in schools and early childhood centres, and contribute to a safe and high quality teaching and learning environment for children and other learners.
How will the Teachers Council achieve its purpose?The Teachers Council's functions include to:
Who can, and who must, be registered by the Teachers Council?All people who have achieved approved teaching qualifications are eligible to apply to be registered as teachers by the Teachers Council. To teach in a State kindergarten, primary or secondary school, it is necessary to be registered.
How many members does the Teachers Council have?Approximately 86,000 people are registered.
Why must teachers in State kindergartens, primary and secondary schools be registered?Registering teachers offers assurance that:
How do teachers benefit from the Teachers Council?The Teachers Council offers teachers:
Who runs the Teachers Council?The key to the success of the Teachers Council is that it must be the teachers' organisation, run for teachers by teachers. There are 11 Council Members, supported by a Director and staff. Four Council Members are elected by teachers; three are nominated by NZEI, PPTA and STA; and four, including the Chair, are appointed by the Minister of Education.
How do teachers elect their Council Members?Elections for the four Council Members directly representing teachers are held every three years. To ensure that as many teachers as possible can vote, the Teachers Council contacts registered teachers through their work places and individually to ensure they are registered and eligible to receive nomination and voting papers. Further information about the elections will be updated on the Teachers Council website, www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz, as it becomes available.
When was the last election?The voting period was 1 September 2005 to 1 October 2005.
How is the Teachers Council funded?The Government provides a small grant, with the balance coming from registration fees.
What is the current registration fee?The registration fee for full registration is $120 and grants you a practising certificate for three years (changes to registration status may incurr additional costs). |
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