New Zealand Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teachers) Division II

Overview

The New Zealand Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher) Division II, was offered through UC Education Plus (University of Canterbury) to give a specified group of teachers a further opportunity to upgrade their qualifications for eligibility for the G3+ salary group.

Applications to enrol in this qualification have now closed.

Information about eligibility to enrol in the Diploma was provided in Circular 2008/10.

Each teacher will receive a payment of $2500 (gross) upon successful completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher) Division II, provided the teacher meets the criteria. The payment will be pro-rated for part-time teachers. UC Education Plus will notify the Ministry when the teacher has completed the Diploma. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below for information about how this payment may apply to you.

Entitlement to the G3+ salary group is effective from the date of formal notification of completion of the Diploma as per clause 4.2.1(c) of the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement.

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Frequently asked questions

1. Am I eligible to enrol in the New Zealand Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher) Division II?
   Applications to enrol in this qualification have now closed.
2. How do I apply to enrol in the Diploma?
   Applications to enrol in this qualification have now closed.
3. What will it cost me?
   The Ministry of Education will meet the fees for the Diploma, except for the cost of additional papers where they are required for completion of the Diploma. The fees paid by the Ministry are paid directly by the Ministry to the University of Canterbury.
   
   Where candidates are required to undertake completion of additional papers through a tertiary provider, the cost of the additional papers is not met by the Ministry of Education, and will have to be paid by individual candidates.
4. What kind of unit standards will I have to meet to successfully complete the Diploma?
   Information about the content of the Diploma is available to download at the bottom of this page.
   
   For further information, please contact the University of Canterbury UC Education Plus using the contact details below.
5. Can I get some study leave to support me towards completing the Diploma?
   Each teacher enrolled in the New Zealand Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher) Division II is entitled to up to five days study leave, upon application by the teacher's school board.
   
   This leave must only be used by the teacher enrolled in the Diploma, and only for use in work towards completion of the Diploma.
   
   An application form for study leave is available for download from this webpage.
6. Am I eligible for the $2,500 payment upon completion?
   To be eligible for the $2,500 payment, the teacher, on completing the Diploma must:
• be employed as a secondary teacher in a permanent, long-term relieving or other fixed-term (including supernumeracy) teaching position in a state or state integrated school (providing that, in the case of a fixed term position, the tenure is for at least six weeks); and
• have continuous service as a secondary teacher in a state or state integrated school(s) since 5 February 2003. Breaks in service of up to six weeks may be `bridged' providing service either side of the break is for continuous periods of six weeks or more.

Part-time teachers will receive a pro-rated payment of $1000 plus a pro-rated portion of the remaining $1500.

7. When will I be eligible for salary group G3+?
   Entitlement to the G3+ salary group is effective from the date of formal notification of completion of the Diploma as per clause 4.2.1(c) of the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement.
   
   If you have been held at the maximum step for your salary group for one or more years' service, you will be entitled to immediate progression of one salary step. Otherwise you will be able to move towards the top of the salary scale by annual progression.
   
   The Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement is available for download at www.minedu.govt.nz/employmentagreements.

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Contacts

Ministry of Education

Industrial Relations Unit
Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Wellington
Email: industrial.relations@minedu.govt.nz [no spam]

University of Canterbury (UC)

UC Education Plus

Diploma Coordinator:
Christiane Rupp
Phone: (03) 3458454
Email:nzdipss@edplus.canterbury.ac.nz [no spam]

UC Contacts:
Website:http://www.edplus.canterbury.ac.nz/nzdipss/index
Fax: (03) 3437731
Street address:
UC College of Education, Dovedale Avenue, Christchurch
Postal address:
UC College of Education, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140