The Ministry of Education has unveiled plans to slash 565 jobs.
Combined with reductions announced by Oranga Tamariki, today’s total public sector job cuts exceed 1,000.
The Public Service Association (PSA) called the MoE proposal ‘severe’, accounting for 12 percent of its total workforce. According to the PSA, various departments within the ministry face cuts, with roles in operations, curriculum, regional offices, property management, and policy positions on the chopping block.
Of particular concern to the PSA are regional positions set to be eliminated, which include roles supporting children with disabilities, migrant and disabled children, as well as advisers on speech and language therapy. Additionally, there are plans to dismiss nutrition experts and advisers linked to the free school lunches scheme.
Secretary of Education Iona Holsted told media efforts would be made to minimise impacts on direct services to children, teachers, and principals.
The proposed cuts have drawn criticism from various quarters. The PSA’s assistant secretary described them as ‘brutal and rushed,’ warning of negative consequences for young people, families, and communities. Education sector leaders also expressed concerns about the impact on schools and early childhood education services.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon clarified that the proposed cuts primarily target back-office functions, aiming to streamline bureaucracy. But the PSA and Labour leader Chris Hipkins allege frontline services are also at risk.
“… which include … migrant and disabled children, as well as advisers on speech and language therapy. Additionally, there are plans to dismiss nutrition experts and advisers linked to the free school lunches scheme.”
Great. And then have these ‘advisor’ people go back to where they came from, namely disfunctional families themselves.
A VAST number of these ‘cuntsultants’ need therapy BEFORE they are let lose onto what they never resolved within their own quagmire in the first place before.
Can we all just be REAL and talk in language we ALL understand?
Oranga Tamariki is Ministry for Children!
And let’s not be ambiguous here: #@%$^& Jabcinda and her fatty squeeze Robertson have wrecked finances for years to come and THAT is the reason why services have to be cut.
Just getting rid of dead wood. Why would you need a nutritionist full time on staff. Design a menu with 20 options and rotate it throughout the countries schools, simple.
Maybe cut jobs at the PSA as well.
Also reduce the number of MP’s to zero, this would, at the very least half income theft (taxes)