Teachers Receive $ 9 Million Counseling Support to Cope with Job Stress

Teachers will receive $ 8.7 million in counseling to cope with the stress of their jobs.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins unveiled a four-part package after talks agreed to in a “deal” with the New Zealand Educational Institute and the Post Primary Teachers Association during salary negotiations last year.

The agreement called for workload reduction, review of entry and career paths, development of teacher aides and other paraprofessionals, and development of a “wellness framework” that includes “systemic supports to address identified issues. in relation to well-being “.

Hipkins said the government agreed:

• An immediate package of $ 4.2 million of counseling and support services for Auckland educators.

“This packet offers, for a period of three months, free additional counseling on the Employment Assistance Program (EAP) and group workshops on topics of interest to staff of state and state integrated schools, kura and early learning services “, Hipkins said.

“These services will be implemented during the fourth quarter of 2020.”

• Another $ 2 million for additional immediate EAP counseling and support services in locations or regions experiencing an additional Covid-19 resurgence, with more options for providing support nationwide to be investigated in the coming months.

• $ 1.5 million to develop a nationwide online wellness center to provide additional support through June 2023 for all of New Zealand’s more than 130,000 educators and their whānau.

“The center will provide a variety of easily accessible tips, including peer support and some materials developed specifically for the education sector. It is expected to be operational before the end of this school year and in addition to other wellness activities. general online information provided by the Ministry of Health “.

• Up to $ 1 million over three years to support the well-being of the Maori education workforce in Maori middle educational settings.

“This package does not replace the supports that schools and early learning services already provide. The government has another $ 7 million to support the well-being of teachers and principals in addition to today’s announcement,” Hipkins said.

“The Ministry of Education will work with the Accord partners and the Maori Middle and Pacific Top Agencies in early 2021 to develop new initiatives to be funded from the remaining funds.

The teacher support comes a day after the Labor Party pledged an additional $ 151 million to fund mental health support for all elementary and middle school children.