3-5 Additional Relief Teacher Funding for sports and cultural leave
The Ministry manages a limited funding pool to assist schools with relief teacher costs when boards of trustees grant teachers paid leave to attend an international sports or cultural event.
Additional Relief Teacher Funding for sports and cultural leave is restricted and only available under certain circumstances. In some cases it will not cover the entire period of leave that has been granted by the board, or requested by the teacher.
Granting leave
The granting of leave, with or without pay, to teachers is the responsibility of the employer, being the board of trustees of the school. In making decisions to grant leave, boards should follow the appropriate provisions of the relevant collective employment agreement. Advice related to employment is available to boards of trustees from the NZSTA. The Ministry does not approve or decline leave requests for teachers, nor does it determine if leave is to be granted with or without pay.
Limit to additional relief teacher funding
Additional relief teacher funding for an individual teacher’s absence due to sports or cultural leave is limited to a maximum of 20 school days in any one school year. Note that the ‘eight day’ rule does not apply.
Additional relief teacher funding for sports and cultural leave is paid on a five day basis, and is not available during weekends or school holidays.
Advance payment
Additional relief teacher funding for sports and cultural leave may be approved and paid in advance of the event on the proviso that if the event is cancelled or the teacher cannot fulfil his/her commitments to the event, any additional relief teacher funding that was paid will be returned to the Ministry.