Overseas-trained teacher stuck in registration process despite 20 years’ experience

A Taranaki teacher with more than two decades’ experience fears registration hurdles could be keeping experienced overseas-trained educators out of New Zealand classrooms - as the country calls for more teachers.

Catherine McVey has worked in education across South Africa, the UK and New Zealand, but remains on a Limited Authority to Teach because she cannot provide an original copy of her South African teaching degree.

The document was lost after multiple international moves between Scotland, New Zealand and Malaysia.

McVey has provided affidavits, certified copies and other documentation, but said the Teaching Council told her there wasn’t enough evidence and suggested that she does another postgraduate degree.

The Council said overseas-trained teachers are required to provide reliable and verified evidence of their qualifications. It said missing an original qualification document is not, by itself, a barrier to registration.

Acting chair Patrick Walsh said applicants who cannot meet the standard pathway can be considered through a discretionary pathway, which takes other factors into account, including teaching experience.

But McVey said she has hit a roadblock after being told to study again, and feels her years in the profession have not been recognised.

She already holds multiple other degrees from England and Scotland and has extensive experience in education, including special needs teaching.

McVey estimates the further study could cost around $16,000 for a year, as well as requiring her to step away from paid work.

She said going through the process has taken a personal toll.

“I mean, [it’s] devastating personally... my self-esteem has taken a real knock because it makes me feel like I’m not good enough.”

McVey has written to Education Minister Erica Stanford, frustrated by Government efforts to attract more people - including tradies - into classrooms while she remains unable to gain full registration.

“I hear you’re calling out for teachers. You’re even trying to get overseas-trained teachers into New Zealand because you’re so short. Here I am, and no one’s responding to any of my emails or anything.”

The Minister’s office referred questions about McVey’s experience to NZQA.

McVey also questions why her experience is being treated the same as those with no teaching background - as an LAT allows people without formal teaching qualifications to take classes in specific situations.

“At the moment I can teach, but so can someone who has no teaching experience.”

“We’re on the same pay grade, we’re kind of all put in the same pot, which to me there’s a real injustice in that,” she said.

NZQA said it cannot progress an overseas qualification evaluation without confirming the qualification’s authenticity.

Deputy Chief Executive of Quality Assurance Emily Fabling said this ensures organisations such as the Teaching Council can have confidence an overseas-trained teacher’s qualification was genuinely awarded and meets New Zealand requirements.

The Teaching Council said overseas-trained teachers continue to make an important contribution to the workforce, with an approval rate of about 95% across the last three years.

It said if McVey wishes to pursue registration through the discretionary pathway, it would be happy to assess her application.

McVey is concerned other experienced overseas teachers could face similar barriers, particularly those who may not have the financial means to complete further study.

She said: “I mean, we’ve spent nearly $5000 on this process. We’ve taken a hit, but we can make it work.”

McVey said she wants the system to recognise the skills and experience overseas-trained teachers bring, while still maintaining the checks needed to protect learners.

Jaime Cunningham is a Christchurch-based reporter with a focus on education and general news. She joined Newstalk ZB in 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Christchurch Star.