Teachers 'overwhelmingly' supporting vaccine mandates – NZEI

October 24, 2021

NZEI president Liam Rutherford talks about the effects of vaccine mandates for teachers, and what the union hopes to see from the Government’s upcoming announcement on Auckland primary schools. (Source: Other)

The union representing primary school and ECE teachers has lost only a tiny proportion of members as a result of Covid-19 vaccine mandates, according to NZEI president Liam Rutherford.

He told Q+A's Jack Tame the workforce is overwhelmingly behind the policy and that teachers see it as a way of getting back to face-to-face teaching.

Rutherford said they are concerned about the potential impact even a small number of teachers leaving the profession could have on ongoing staff shortages.

“We know that the early childhood sector prior to Covid were having massive shortages and the lockdowns and the current state of the ECE sector have compounded that further.

“Likewise, similar staff shortages are taking place in the primary sector,” said Rutherford.

He wanted additional Government partnership and support to ensure staffing levels were adequate.

The first deadline for teachers to receive a first vaccine dose is November 15.

On Tuesday, the Government will release further information on when and how Auckland primary schools can return to in-person teaching.

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