Our manager recently emailed us and told us to keep well, take vitamin C and get plenty of rest- because there is a chronic short of relievers.

What does the reliever shortage mean for you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

Our manager recently emailed us and told us to keep well, take vitamin C and get plenty of rest- because there is a chronic short of relievers. This just isn’t good enough.

What will it take to fix the reliever shortage?

If they remove the Reliever [Pay] Cap*, kindergartens will look like the best place to relieve.

*The Reliever Pay Cap prevents relievers being paid above step 6 on the pay scale for Kindergarten Teachers, regardless of their level of experience or the rates they are paid for their contracted hours.

When we fix the reliever shortage, what impact will that change have on you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

If you are sick, you need to stay home and get well. Presently, you feel guilty if you are sick and there is no reliever. More relievers will make life so much better for teachers. And for tamariki.