Circular 2005/14: Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher)

Date: 29 August 2005
Circular Number: 2005/14
Category: Industrial Relations

Circular 2005/14 - Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher) - Update

This circular is about: To provide an update about the NZ Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher).

The action required is: To note the contents of this circular and bring to the attention of affected G3 teachers.

It is intended for: Boards of Trustees, Principals and affected G3 teachers in state and integrated secondary, area and intermediate schools.

For further Information: Contact the Industrial Relations Unit by email: industrial.relations@minedu.govt.nz.

Introduction

The NZ Diploma in Specialist Subjects (Secondary Teacher) was developed jointly by the Ministry of Education and the PPTA as a pathway for certain secondary teachers in the state sector for whom there was no degree pathway available at the time of their appointment. These teachers are predominantly those in the technology areas affected by the introduction of the new G3+ qualification group in the August 2002 settlement of the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement.

The Ministry of Education in February this year contracted the Christchurch College of Education as the provider of the Diploma. The College has contracted with CAPL (Centre of Assessment of Prior Learning) to provide the assessment of the prior learning component of the Diploma.

Current Status

Enrolments in the Diploma are now in excess of 800 and growing daily. There is no cap on enrolments except that teachers are required to have enrolled by the end of this year. Teachers then have until 9 December 2008 to complete the Diploma.

To undertake the Diploma, a teacher must be currently employed as a secondary teacher teaching the technology curricula, or commerce or hold the He Tohu Matauranga Māori. If a teacher who has enrolled is no longer teaching, they must withdraw from the programme as they no longer meet the eligibility criteria.

There have been a significant number of applications from teachers in other subject areas where degrees have always been available for teachers and from teachers in the private sector. These applications do not fit the criteria for enrolment and will be declined.

Process for receiving the back pay 

When the course requirements for the Diploma have been completed and the College has approved the award of the Diploma, the College will notify the individual teacher and provide to the Ministry their name and other details. The Ministry payroll service will then adjust the teacher's pay rates and calculate the backpay. The teacher will be paid the new rate and the backpay in the first available payrun after notification to the Ministry. This will simplify the process and means that the teacher, or the principal, will not be required to notify payroll.

"Wrap around" package

In November 2004, in recognition of the delays in implementing the Diploma, the government approved enhancements to the "wrap around" package.

The package consists of: 

• Ten days study leave per enrolled fulltime teacher (prorated for part-time teachers); 
• Teachers completing the Diploma by the end of 2006 without further study receive backdated salary status to 5 February 2003; 
• Teachers completing the Diploma with extra study required receive backdated salary status to February of the previous year; 
• Teachers completing the Diploma after 2006, without extra study receive backdated salary status to February of the previous year; 
• The government to pay the cost of the fees for enrolment in the Diploma through the contract with Christchurch College of Education (excluding the course fees where additional study required); 
• 100 study awards for teachers who require additional formal study to complete the Diploma - with 50 available from July 2005, and a further 50 from July 2006; 
• Half reimbursement of course fees where additional study is required to complete the Diploma.

Two weeks' study leave

Each school employing a teacher enrolled in the Diploma will have up to two weeks (10 days) of relief teacher costs to release the teacher for the purposes of study or preparation for assessment towards the Diploma.

The Ministry, on receiving enrolment advice from the Christchurch College of Education, will credit the school's account with 10 days teacher relief (or part thereof for part-time teachers).

Given that many teachers enrolled in the Diploma are likely to be in specific curriculum areas it is recommended that schools, in consultation with affected teachers, look to arrange the timing of such absences so as to minimise disruption to classes.

Diploma Study Awards

The package includes 100 study awards available to teachers who need to undertake additional formal study towards the Diploma. Given the delay in the roll out of the Diploma, 50 awards will be available over the twelve months from July 2005, a further 50 awards will be available over the twelve months from July 2006.

The awards will be allocated through the normal study award process. Further information on the application process and timeline will be available shortly.

Teachers applying for a study award for Diploma-related study will need to have enrolled in the Diploma and have had an assessment as to the amount of formal study required to meet the Diploma requirements.

Backdating of G3+ status

To be eligible for backdated G3+ status, the teacher, on completing the Diploma must: 

• be employed in a permanent, long-term relieving or other fixed-term (including supernumerary) 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 in a state or state-integrated school(s) since the date to which G3+ status is backdated. Breaks in service of up to 6 weeks may be `bridged' providing service either side of the break is for continuous periods of six weeks or more.

Fee reimbursement

Teachers who elect to undertake approved courses of formal study towards the Diploma will be able to apply to the Ministry to be reimbursed half of the course fees on production of receipts once the course has been completed. No reimbursement will be made for other costs associated with these courses, including textbooks, materials or field work fees or general fees levied by the institution.

Diploma-based interpretation of G3+

Teachers in the G3 salary group who, in addition to holding a G3 qualification listed in Appendix A of the Diploma, hold a separate 120-credit level 7 qualification in a specialist curriculum subject may have their qualifications reassessed for G3+ status.

An example would be a teacher who holds Advanced Trade Certificate with 6,000 hours post-apprenticeship service, a Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) and has also completed Massey University's Graduate Diploma in Technology Education (120 credits at level 7).

Teachers in this category who consider that they might also meet these criteria should contact the Ministry of Educations' Industrial Relations Unit (industrial.relations@minedu.govt.nz).

Issued by:

Chris Collins
Senior Manager Industrial Relations

National Office
45 - 47 Pipitea Street, Thorndon
P O Box 1666, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 0-4-463 8000
Fax: 0-4-463 8001
www.minedu.govt.nz