Reliever shortages are contributing to teachers working when sick or not being able to take their leave.

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

Reliever shortages are contributing to teachers working when sick or not being able to take their leave. It also means teachers stretched to the brink trying to manage or going without lunch.

What will it take to fix the reliever shortage?

Lifting the pay cap would be great. I know of experienced teachers retiring who say its not worth relieving because of the low pay (pay cut), the cost of petrol and the high cost of their practicing certificate.

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

To have high quality, experienced relievers means the impact of teachers away is greatly minimized. To be able to take our breaks, to know if we need to take leave, there is a reliever, to not push ourselves to burnout point would be great and to be able to take leave without feeling I’m letting the team down because there are no relievers and they have to manage would be ideal.