Parents and teachers concerned at teacher shortage, with school term starting next week

Eleven teacher vacancies remain at Niue High school with the school term starting next week

With students set to return to school next week, there are growing concerns about the ongoing teacher shortage at Niue High school. Eleven positions remain vacant with lack of accommodation woes and the high cost of living continues to add pressure on the teacher shortage at Niue High School.

Parents and teachers alike are concerned for the students learning at the start of the school year. James Douglas from the Niue High School PTA told BCN news that they as parents are concerned at the lack of qualified teachers at the start of the school term. 

Douglas said that at the end of last year, the PTA met with the teachers who said that while the teacher salary package is quite good compared to the other Pacific countries, it is the high cost of living that is contributing to the teachers leaving.

BCN News understands that the expatriate teachers are given an accommodation allowance but this is no longer sufficient for the high rental costs on the island. Teachers are spending most of their salary paying their rent.

BCN News is aware also of the concerns from the teachers that they will be carrying additional teaching load until the Public Service Commission employs the 11 teachers needed. In addition to the extra load, the teachers of NHS will be mentoring student teacher trainees who have also had to teach even though they are not qualified teachers. 

The Director of Education, Natasha Tohovaka in a statement to BCN News said Currently, Niue Primary School is not impacted by any teacher shortages. At Niue High School, the Principal, Deputy Principal and the NHS Extended Management team are effectively managing the situation until all new teachers arrive on island. We are confident that the team are diligently working to minimize any potential impact on students’ learning experiences during this transition period.”

James Douglas said that the PTA feels for the teachers who have to take on extra workload as “they are working above and beyond their own workload”.

Douglas said that the victims in this situation are the students. He is hoping to speak with the Minister of Education over the coming days to discuss options on bringing in new teachers. 

Last week the Public Service Commission in a statement to BCN News said they were finalising the recruitment of the teachers but the key challenge is the lack of accommodation for them. 

Questions regarding the accommodation and lack of teaching staff were sent to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Sonya Talagi but have not received a response. 

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