Education – Teachers under pressure

For many of us who’ve been around the block a few times, the current landscape of education might feel familiar, like we’ve seen this all before. Right now, schools across Aotearoa New Zealand are facing a perfect storm of change and implementation. It’s time we talk honestly about the pressure this is putting on educators, and what we as schools need from our communities to support them.

Currently, we’re navigating significant reform to both the national curriculum and NCEA. These changes do matter. They aim to modernise what and how we teach, preparing our young people to be ‘world-ready,’ able to contribute to and thrive in an increasingly connected global landscape. While the intent behind these reforms are necessary, the pace and complexity are placing immense strain on the very people expected to bring them to life: our teachers and school leaders.

Reform is important. We absolutely need a curriculum that reflects today’s world and a qualification system that ensures fairness, equity, depth, and relevance. Since its introduction, NCEA has helped many students thrive through flexible, personalised learning pathways. But even its strongest supporters acknowledge the need to improve coherence, reduce assessment overload, and address real concerns, like ‘credit crunching’ and inconsistent standards. A recent report to the Minister of Education noted that the flexibility built into NCEA can sometimes come at the cost of credibility and clarity. And yes, these concerns are worth the discussion.

At the same time, teachers are working harder than ever. They’re juggling increased student needs, administrative pressures, and staffing shortages, all while trying to make sense of new curriculum expectations and qualification reforms. Encouragingly, it’s promising to see some movement from the tertiary sector to grow the next generation of teachers

Many school leaders carry immense pressure behind the scenes, often quietly and with a deep sense of duty and care. This is exactly where our communities have a vital role to play. We can support schools, their teachers, and leaders through our advocacy, not only for improved systems but also for the wellbeing of the people who make education flourish. That means standing firmly behind our teachers during collective bargaining, calling for a more realistic pace of change that empowers, not overwhelms, our teachers.

Personally, it took me some time to find my purpose. I absolutely love teaching and being in education. It is the place we can enact real change and shape futures. However, if we want an education system that prepares young people for tomorrow, we must care for the people doing the mahi every day.

Education touches everyone. And so as we head into more change and the next round of advocacy for our profession, let’s stand beside our teachers, and walk this path with them.