Rural teachers pay own work expenses: NZEI

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 272, 31 January 1989, Page 13

Rural teachers pay own work expenses: NZEI

"Some rural teachers are meeting workrelated expenses of up to $2000 a year nett that are no longer accepted as being tax-deductible," New Zealand Educational Institute National President Peter Allen said recently.

"These teachers are paying for school materials, school trips, and other travel associated with living

in the country, as well as now facing school house rent increases of between $4000 and $5000 a year," said Mr

Allen. He said school houses used to be an effective way of attracting teachers to rural areas but that the rent increases are now forcing teachers out of school houses. He claims the quality of education for children in those areas will suf-

fer from staffing shortages. "Our members are in real difficulties - it is costing them too much to teach in rural areas," he said. In this year's award claim the NZEI has asked for a rent subsidy of $3000 a year for every teacher in a

school house. Discussions on the award were due to start at the end of January. "A similar amount is being requested as a custodial duties allowance," the NZEI president added. "This recognises the amount of time that teachers.

particularly in rural areas, put into protecting the school buildings, grounds and swimming pool from vandalism and other damage." At present there is no form of rcmunera-

tion that takes these tasks into account and the claims are conservative compared with the increased costs rural teachers face, Peter Allen said.