UNICEF report shows the importance of qualified ECE teachers- Publication date: 10 December 2008

“Overall we rank seventh equal out of the twenty five OECD countries and we are one of only five countries meeting the baseline quality indicators. The ranking is positive news and a testament to the qualified teachers working in the sector.”
However, New Zealand’s seventh place ranking doesn’t tell the whole story. “NZCA does have some reservations about league tables as they can oversimplify complex data. The ten benchmarks used by the report are useful and we agree with UNICEF that some of them need to go further if we’re to get a true picture of international ECE provision. Nonetheless, the report does provide a useful overview.”
The report highlights the increasing recognition of ECE as a right for all children and its important contribution to society. “It’s good to see that the importance of qualified teachers in ECE is continuing to gain international momentum” explains Nancy, “NZCA has been advocating this position for a long time and more international recognition underscores the value of a quality early childhood education.”
Ensuring the quality of provision through qualified teachers features prominently in the report, particularly for under threes. “Our Association has always advocated for high quality ECE and studies like this show that teacher qualifications are the main driver of quality. For our members, increasing the amount of qualified teachers is their number one priority and the report backs this position.”
“I sincerely hope the National-lead government will look closely at this report and rethink their pre-election promise to reduce the 2012 teacher qualification targets. This report places New Zealand in the ECE top ten, we need qualified teachers and government investment to keep us there.”

ENDS
For further information contact Simon Horrocks on 027 340 6099