New scheme offers up to $40,000 to recruited teachers after five years
The New Zealand government has unveiled a new incentive scheme that will help some schools recruit qualified teachers for their vacancies.
Education Minister Erica Stanford introduced the new Teacher Bonding Scheme (TBS), saying it can be used by small rural schools to access an expert teacher.
Under the scheme, teachers recruited to eligible schools for a TBS vacancy will receive annual payments of up to $40,000 after five years.
"It's a $40,000-package, it's the biggest we've offered," Stanford told the New Zealand Herald in an interview.
The scheme, which launches in October, starts with a $5,000 annual lump sum payment in year one, before going up to $11,000 in the fifth year.
"TBS payments are made directly to the teacher. This allows teachers to use the money for what is most important to them," the Education Workforce's website said.
A total of 185 placements will be available each year, and it will be up to schools to select a teacher for their vacancy, according to the website.
The list of eligible schools will be published before the end of September, but the government noted it will be based on the Primary Staffing Schools criteria.
"If allocated one of the 185 places, schools can then use the TBS as a recruitment and retention incentive in one job advertisement," the Education Workforce said.
"Once recruited, the teacher will receive their TBS payment(s) in T1 of the following year. This payment will be pro-rated according to their FTTE and whether they taught for the full or part year."
The government said the scheme seeks to reduce recruitment challenges for principals, as well as increase the distribution of teachers to priority schools.
It also aims to recognise and celebrate the contributions of teachers when they work in a priority staffing school.
