WELLINGTON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government is pumping more resources into addressing the long-term challenge of teacher shortages in public schools by training or supporting 3,280 additional teachers over the next four years, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said on Thursday.
Among initiatives in a package released on Thursday, more Kiwis will be incentivized into the teaching profession with scholarships contributing to the fees and living costs of students.
"Our commitment towards thousands of additional teachers will be a shot in the arm to our schools. Children, parents and teachers will all benefit from the influx in teachers and the government's commitment to addressing the long-term issue of teacher supply," Hipkins said in a statement.
"Schools are crying out for more teachers and we are delivering. More teachers will help with the quality of teaching and education our children receive. It will improve kids' wellbeing," he said.
The government is also looking well ahead to what will be needed in our education workforce of the future through the development of an Education Workforce Strategy, in partnership with the sector, the minister said, adding a group of respected sector leaders has co-designed a vision released on Thursday, and is developing a strategy for the whole of the education workforce.
