PaEE in Schools

What the schooling sector reviews recommended:

The task for the PAEE Review Committee was to gather and analyse pertinent data and information as it related to any gender inequities for all employees in schools.

The Review investigated three main employment areas; rewards,
participation, and respect and fairness. Information on how gender impacted on the experience of employees in these areas was finally gathered from a variety of sources:

• National MoE employment data
• Two staff experience surveys of schools
• School review reports from a small sample of individual schools
• Research and reports provided by PPTA, NZEI, STA and MoE
• Focus groups of principals, support staff and teachers.

Key issues that were identified to be addressed as a high priority are:

• Support staff – some not receiving incremental pay steps when they are due
• Support staff – inconsistent grading and placement on scales and steps
• Cleaners – work may not be valued appropriately (this was "fixed" by Labour  Govt pay jolt.)
  
• Teacher Aides – work may not be valued appropriately
• Support staff and teachers – possible unjustified use of fixed-term agreements
• Teachers – gender disadvantage for women teachers and principals in career advancement
• Teachers – inequitable provision of classroom release time or non-contact time for part-time teachers.
• Other priority issues identified by the Review are related to contractual entitlements or have a legal basis for concern. These are:
• Support staff – the ineligibility for annualised pay experienced by fixed term employees
• Support staff – effect of break in employment on service entitlements
• Support staff – effect of absence for child care on service entitlements
• Support staff – lack of clarity about work expectations and whether that work is paid
• Support staff and teachers – domestic and sick leave provisions.

The last group of priority issues identified are related to policies and practices in the employment environment of schools. These are:

• Support staff – lack of access to professional development for some employees
• Support staff – lack of ability to contribute influence and advice
• Women teachers – lack of ability to contribute influence and advice
• Support staff – lack of clear job descriptions and performance management processes for some employees
• Support staff and teachers – awareness and effectiveness of policies and practices to prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination.