Teacher aide pay equity operational guidelines for schools

11 Access to professional learning and development

Key points in this section:

• The settlement provides teacher aides with easier access to professional learning and development (PLD) opportunities.
• The fund supports claims of up to $1,500 (there is an additional allowance for travel and accommodation).
• The PLD fund does not pay for a relief teacher aide but pays the wages of teacher aides to undertake PLD regardless of when this occurs.
• Where possible, funding should be used for PLD in term breaks or outside a teacher aide's work hours.

A new pilot fund provides easier access to professional development opportunities that build capability in the teacher aide workforce.

The pilot fund will assess interest for this support as well as the types of PLD which could be funded long-term.

The pilot fund will pay for:

• course fees
• the teacher aide's wages
• approved expenses related to attending PLD.

Criteria

This pilot fund supports the development of teacher aide skills and knowledge in ways that contribute to the vision of the school, and students' needs. The PLD must:

• contribute to the teacher aide's capability to improve student wellbeing, or
• improve the teacher aide's cultural capability, or
• help the teacher aide increase their ability to support students.

After talking to their supervisor, teacher aides can apply to attend a course via a simple online application. The teacher aide and their Principal will be notified when the application has been approved.

Once the course is finished, the school should invoice the Ministry for course costs, attendance costs, travel and accommodation.

The pilot fund pays for PLD offered by private providers, polytechnics, universities, schools, or clusters of schools. PLD that is in, or across schools, is equally as valid as courses provided by an external provider. The pilot fund covers both face-to-face, distance or online delivery.

The pilot fund will support claims up to $1,500 per teacher aide. There is an additional allowance, of up to $500, for travel and accommodation for teacher aides who meet the isolation eligibility criteria.

The pilot fund does not pay for a relief teacher aide. It pays the wages of teacher aides to undertake PLD, regardless of when this occurs. As the cost of a teacher aide's wages is reimbursed by the pilot fund, you will not face any financial obstacle to pay for a relief teacher aide during school hours, should that be necessary.

Wherever possible, this pilot funding should be used for PLD in term breaks and the Christmas and New Year break, or otherwise outside a teacher aide's work hours. You should make a note in payroll if any leave is taken for PLD.

For more information please go to: capability.education.govt.nz/teacher-aide-pld/(external link)