The Education Ministry has proposed axing over 500 full-time roles today, as job losses across government agencies now rise into the thousands.
A plan which results in the net loss of 565 jobs has been presented to staff, representing a 12% cut to the ministry’s workforce, the Public Service Association said.
Earlier today, Oranga Tamariki told staff it would also cut 447 roles.
More than 1000 job losses have been announced in the public service today alone, as the Government continues pursuing cost savings across departments and agencies.
Cuts at the Education Ministry affect 216 roles at its operations and integration group, 197 at the curriculum centre, 91 at regional offices, 39 in property, and 22 working in policy.
Of the 565 FTE positions, 235 are currently vacant, the PSA said. The ministry said 225 of these roles are currently vacant.
The PSA’s Fleur Fitzsimons said the role reductions would cut into frontline services.
“At a time when student achievement is falling, when school attendance is a challenge, where is the plan for education? It doesn’t add up,” she said in a media release.
“This plan includes scrapping 87 jobs in the regions – people doing work including supporting children with disabilities, migrant and refugee children, advising schools on accessing speech and language therapy, lifting student achievement and helping ensure schools run smoothly.
“There is a net reduction of 38 roles supporting learners with disabilities and others needing additional learning support,16 of these are in National Office and another 22 across the regions.
“There are already major problems for families getting the learning support their children and young people need, these cuts will make it worse.
“The Government said that cuts would not impact frontline services but these proposals show that is not true.”
More than 1400 public sector roles had already been cut as part of the Government’s cost-saving measures.
Departments had been asked to find up to 7.5% in savings as Finance Minister Nicola Willis looks to slash annual public service spending annually by $1.5 billion.
‘Mischaracterisation’
Iona Holsted, Secretary for Education, said the ministry was “disappointed” at the “mischaracterisation of the Ministry’s proposals as impacting services for children”.
“This generates unnecessary concern and worry for parents and caregivers and the wider education sector,” she said in a statement.
“To be clear, this is a complex process that has required time, and our proposed changes have been designed to avoid impacts on direct services to children, teachers, and principals/leaders.
“The Government has been clear that operational decisions on meeting the required savings targets is the responsibility of each agency . As with all change, the Ministry is following a formal change process Final decisions will not be made until after this process is concluded.”
Unions react
Unions have reacted negatively to the “large scale” cuts at the Ministry of Education.
New Zealand’s largest union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, said the cuts will have negative impacts on both schools and children.
NZEI president Mark Potter said the cuts will affect both the daily running of schools and early childhood education services, and will make support for students even more difficult to access.
“These cuts have been sold by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance as necessary so they can make good on promised tax cuts.
“What we see are cuts that will potentially have huge impacts on education and students for years to come.”
Potter added no matter where the cuts come from, they will all impact ultimately on teaching and learning in the classroom.
Meanwhile PPTA president Chris Abercrombie said the cuts are “short sighted” and will have “serious implications” in the long term.
“Sadly, we have seen situations before where Ministry of Education positions are done away with, only to create a gaping hole in essential work and support for schools and teachers further down the track.
“I have no doubt that this is the case today. One area that troubles us greatly is the cut to staffing in the NCEA change and curriculum refresh programmes. These programmes are at the heart of teaching and learning and young people’s qualifications and opportunities.
“The work will still need to be done and it will most likely mean school leaders and teachers will pick up the shortfall, creating further pressure on an already straining system.
Abercrombie said while the the cuts may not have an immediate impact, they will have “serious ramifications” over the next “couple of years”.
Education Minister suggests more cuts to come
Amid the cuts, Education Minister Erica Stanford said improving education is a “priority” for the government.
However, she suggested there is more cuts to be announced for the Ministry of Education next week.
“A further smaller announcement will be made next week to staff in two remaining groups.”
Stanford said the Government also “looks forward” to making Budget announcements that will deliver on their “commitment to increase investment in education and lift student achievement”.
“To ensure we can deliver better outcomes education we will be redirecting funds that will be achieved from the Ministry of Education savings programme and put them to the frontline.
“This direction as already signalled with our period products in schools programme announcement and continuing to fund a school lunches programme.
“To deliver these savings the Ministry of Education today, began consulting on proposals to reduce back-office functions. In 2017 around 2600 people were employed at the Ministry as of 2024 it is over 4300.
“I acknowledge this is a difficult time for staff at the Ministry of Education staff and their families. I’d encourage all staff to take part in the consultation process.”