Children are coming to us with complex needs and need more support than is offered.

What does the issue of staff to student ratios mean for you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

The foundational years are vital for success in later learning settings. Children are coming to us with complex needs and need more support than is offered. Imagine how much better things would be if we could provided more time to implement tailored programmes for all akonga to be the best versions of themselves. Money and resources poured into this tender time of their lives, with better ratios, kaiako can really make sure that no child is left behind for any reason.

What will it take to fix staff to student ratios?

The job needs to be attractive to the next line of teachers. Ensuring teachers are paid a fair wage and are offered the resources to do their job – without adding more to their plate – allows kaiako to put more time and energy to their tamariki that they serve, and if more kaiako were attracted to the job then there would be less strain on those who already do the work.

When we fix staff to student ratios, what impact will that change have on you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

I feel children with diverse needs will be able to thrive and be lifted up to ensure that their learning is valued. Kaiako will feel less stretched to provide a professional service that is under-resourced for time to attend to and give children the 1:1 that they sometimes need.