Add your piece and get the big picture

Thousands of secondary school teachers take to classrooms throughout New Zealand each and every day.

What subjects do they teach? What kinds of professional learning have they completed? What are their future plans in the sector? These are just a few of the questions that will be asked in the 2016 Secondary Teacher Census.

Between 30 March and 22 April 2016, secondary teachers in New Zealand state and state integrated schools who have taught at Year 9 or above at any point since 2013 have the opportunity to take part in the Census. This includes teachers currently working as relief teachers or who have moved out of secondary teaching.

The Census is designed to provide the education sector with up-to-date data on supply and demand patterns.

A summary of the findings, including a snapshot of each subject, will be released in June and will enable teachers to see where their specialities may be most valued in the future.

This is particularly important for subjects and areas currently in demand, such as maths, science, technology and Māori medium.

Independent research company Nielsen is conducting the survey on behalf of the Ministry of Education and has designed the questions to gather the most valuable information while keeping it quick and easy for teachers.

The Census will take about 15 minutes to complete and is also available in te reo Māori. All information submitted as part of the Census is anonymous and cannot be linked to an individual or school.

The Census is a great opportunity for the secondary teaching community to add their piece and see where the profession is heading.

Adding your piece will help to create the big picture. Information packs will be sent to secondary school principals soon with an invitation for teachers to complete the Census.

More information on the Census will be available in the next issue of Education Gazette.