Teacher Census 2004 Publications
Publication Details
In September 2004 the Ministry of Education undertook a survey of all teachers in state and state integrated schools. The Ministry would like to thank teachers who participated in the 2004 Teacher Census. The information collected by the Teacher Census provides valuable input into planning and policy development of issues affecting the teaching profession.
Author(s): Demographic and Statistical Analysis, Ministry of Education.
Date Published: June 2005
Summary
Response Rate and Sample Error
In total 43,759 teachers took part in the 2004 Teacher Census, a response rate of 91 percent of teachers who were teaching in the week of the census.
Note:
| |
School Type | Response Rate |
---|---|
Primary | 92% |
Composite* | 83% |
Secondary | 89% |
Special | 90% |
Total | 91% |
The teacher response rate was very high across all school types.
Ethnicity
Across all school sectors 79 percent of teachers identify as European/Pakeha, 10 percent as being Māori, 2 percent as being Pasifika and 2 percent identify as being Asian.
Note:
| ||||||
School Type | Ethnicity | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Māori | European /Pakeha | Pasifika | Asian | Other | Total | |
Primary | 11% | 80% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 100% |
Secondary | 8% | 79% | 2% | 3% | 7% | 100% |
Composite* | 23% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 6% | 100% |
Special | 6% | 79% | 1% | 4% | 10% | 100% |
Total | 10% | 79% | 2% | 2% | 6% | 100% |
Gender
While most teachers at primary schools are female, the gender split is more even at secondary schools.
Note:
| ||||||
School Type | Female | Male | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Primary | 82% | 18% | ||||
Composite* | 69% | 31% | ||||
Secondary | 58% | 42% | ||||
Special | 83% | 17% | ||||
Total | 73% | 27% |
Teachers by Age
Over half of teachers (58 percent) are aged between 40 and 59 years. The distribution across age groups is very similar for female and male teachers.
Figure 1: Proportion of Teachers by Gender and Age
Designation
The 2004 Teacher Census asked teachers to indicate their current designation. The questionnaire allowed respondents to give more than one designation if appropriate. If this occurred then the highest designation was chosen for reporting purposes.
For 5 percent of respondents principal was their highest designation, 8 percent senior management (associate principal, deputy principal and assistant principal designations), 29 percent middle management (head of department, assistant head of department) and 55 percent teacher (including special needs teachers).
Highest Designation | Female | Male |
---|---|---|
Principal | 3% | 11% |
Senior Management | 8% | 8% |
Middle Management | 26% | 37% |
Teacher | 61% | 41% |
Other | 2% | 3% |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Males are more likely to be working as a principal than females (11 percent of male respondents highest designation is principal compared with only 3 percent of females). However, males and female respondents are equally likely to be working at the senior management level (associate principal/deputy principal/assistant principal level).
Age Grouping | Principal | Senior Management | Middle Management | Teacher | Other | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 30 | 0% | 1% | 18% | 79% | 1% | 100% |
30-39 | 2% | 6% | 30% | 60% | 2% | 100% |
40-49 | 6% | 9% | 30% | 52% | 2% | 100% |
50-59 | 9% | 12% | 33% | 43% | 2% | 100% |
60 plus | 7% | 10% | 29% | 50% | 4% | 100% |
Total | 5% | 8% | 29% | 55% | 2% | 100% |
Teachers aged 50-59 years are more likely to be in a principal, senior or middle management position than any other age grouping.
Highest Teaching Qualification
Nearly two thirds of teachers (64 percent) reported holding at least a degree as their teaching qualification, and a third reported holding a certificate or diploma as their highest teaching qualification. When looking at highest teaching qualification broken down by school type we see that a higher proportion of secondary school teachers (75 percent), than teachers from any other school types, hold at least a degree as their highest teaching qualification.
Note:
| |||||
School Type | No qualification | Certificate/ Diploma | Degree or higher | Other qualification | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Primary | 0% | 42% | 57% | 1% | 100% |
Composite* | 4% | 34% | 59% | 2% | 100% |
Secondary | 4% | 19% | 75% | 3% | 100% |
Special | 2% | 36% | 60% | 2% | 100% |
Total | 2% | 33% | 64% | 2% | 100% |
Teachers aged under 30 years are most likely (86 percent) to have a degree or higher as their highest teaching qualification. Whereas teachers aged 60 plus are most likely to have a certificate or diploma as their highest teaching qualification.
Age Grouping | No Qualification | Certificate/ Diploma | Degree or Higher | Other Qualification | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 30 | 2% | 9% | 86% | 3% | 100% |
30-39 | 2% | 24% | 72% | 3% | 100% |
40-49 | 2% | 34% | 63% | 2% | 100% |
50-59 | 2% | 45% | 52% | 1% | 100% |
60 plus | 3% | 56% | 39% | 1% | 100% |
Total | 2% | 33% | 64% | 2% | 100% |
Other Tertiary Qualifications
Overall just under half (45 percent) of all teachers hold tertiary qualifications other than their teaching qualifications. Secondary school teachers are more likely to hold qualifications other than their teaching qualifications than teachers at other school types. Nearly three quarters of teachers at secondary schools hold qualifications other than their teaching qualifications.
Note:
| |||
School Type | Hold other qualifications | Do not hold other qualifications | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Primary | 25% | 75% | 100% |
Composite* | 49% | 51% | 100% |
Secondary | 74% | 26% | 100% |
Special | 33% | 67% | 100% |
Total | 45% | 55% | 100% |
Teachers aged 30-39 years are most likely to have non-teaching tertiary qualifications compared with other age groups.
Age Grouping | Hold other Qualifications | Do not hold other Qualifications | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Under 30 | 46% | 54% | 100% |
30-39 | 51% | 49% | 100% |
40-49 | 45% | 55% | 100% |
50-59 | 42% | 58% | 100% |
60 plus | 37% | 63% | 100% |
Total | 45% | 55% | 100% |
Teachers in middle management positions are most likely to have non-teaching tertiary qualifications. More than half of those in middle management have non-teaching tertiary qualifications.
Highest Designation | Hold other Qualifications | Do not hold other Qualifications | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Principal | 30% | 70% | 100% |
Senior Management | 32% | 68% | 100% |
Middle Management | 55% | 45% | 100% |
Teacher | 43% | 57% | 100% |
Other | 51% | 49% | 100% |
Total | 45% | 55% | 100% |
Current Study towards a Teaching Qualification
Overall, 11 percent of all teachers reported working towards a teaching qualification. Pasifika teachers (21 percent) followed by Māori teachers (16 percent) are more likely to be working towards a teaching qualification than other ethnic groups.border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
Ethnicity | Currently studying towards a teaching qualification | Not currently studying towards a teaching qualification | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Māori | 16% | 84% | 100% |
European/Pakeha | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Pasifika | 21% | 79% | 100% |
Asian | 10% | 90% | 100% |
Other | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Total | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Secondary school teachers are least likely to be working towards a teaching qualification.
Note:
| |||
School Type | Currently studying towards a teaching qualification | Not currently studying towards a teaching qualification | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Primary | 14% | 86% | 100% |
Composite* | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Secondary | 7% | 93% | 100% |
Special | 13% | 87% | 100% |
Total | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Teachers aged less than 30 years and teachers over 60 years are less likely to be working towards a teaching qualification.
Age Grouping | Working towards a teaching qualification | Not working towards a teaching qualification | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Under 30 | 7% | 93% | 100% |
30-39 | 12% | 88% | 100% |
40-49 | 15% | 85% | 100% |
50-59 | 11% | 89% | 100% |
60 plus | 5% | 95% | 100% |
Total | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Nearly double the proportion of principals and those in senior management reported that they were working towards a teaching qualification compared to those in middle management and classroom teachers.
Highest Designation | Working towards a teaching qualification | Not working towards a teaching qualification | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Principal | 19% | 81% | 100% |
Senior Management | 19% | 81% | 100% |
Middle Management | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Teacher | 10% | 90% | 100% |
Total | 11% | 89% | 100% |
Professional Development
Across all ethnic groups, 90 percent of teachers reported that they had undertaken professional development in the 12 months prior to the September 2004 Teacher Census.
A slightly higher proportion of teachers at primary schools and special schools undertook professional development in the 12 months prior to the September 2004 Teacher Census, than teachers at secondary and composite schools.
Note:
| |||
School Type | Undertook professional development | Did not undertake professional development | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Primary | 93% | 7% | 100% |
Composite* | 89% | 11% | 100% |
Secondary | 87% | 13% | 100% |
Special | 92% | 8% | 100% |
Total | 90% | 10% | 100% |
In comparison to other age groups, a slightly lower proportion of teachers aged 60 plus (82 percent) reported undertaking professional development in the 12 months prior to the September 2004 Teacher Census.>
Age Grouping | Undertook professional development | Did not undertake professional development | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Under 30 | 91% | 9% | 100% |
30-39 | 89% | 11% | 100% |
40-49 | 91% | 9% | 100% |
50-59 | 91% | 9% | 100% |
60 plus | 82% | 18% | 100% |
Total | 90% | 10% | 100% |
Senior management (98 percent) followed by principals (96 percent) were most likely to have undertaken professional development in the 12 months prior to the September 2004 Teacher Census.
Highest Designation | Undertook professional development | Did not undertake professional development | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Principal | 96% | 4% | 100% |
Senior Management | 98% | 2% | 100% |
Middle Management | 94% | 6% | 100% |
Teacher | 88% | 12% | 100% |
Total | 90% | 10% | 100% |
Initial Teaching Qualifications from New Zealand or Overseas
Overall, the majority (89 percent) of teachers gained their initial teaching qualification in New Zealand. Asian teachers however, are just as likely to have received their initial teacher qualifications overseas as they are to have received them in New Zealand.
Ethnicity | Initial teaching qualifications gained in NZ | Initial teaching qualifications gained in a country other than NZ | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Māori | 100% | 0% | 100% |
European/Pakeha | 91% | 9% | 100% |
Pasifika | 80% | 20% | 100% |
Asian | 50% | 50% | 100% |
Other | 54% | 46% | 100% |
Total | 89% | 11% | 100% |
A slightly higher proportion of primary teachers received their initial teacher training in New Zealand rather than another country, compared to teachers from other school types.
Nearly a quarter of teachers at special schools received their initial teacher training in a country other than New Zealand.
Note:
| |||
School Type | Initial teaching qualifications gained in NZ | Initial teaching qualifications gained in a country other than NZ | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Primary | 92% | 8% | 100% |
Composite* | 87% | 13% | 100% |
Secondary | 84% | 16% | 100% |
Special | 77% | 23% | 100% |
Total | 89% | 11% | 100% |
Principals and senior management are most likely to have received their initial teaching qualification in New Zealand.
Highest Designation | Initial teaching qualifications gained in NZ | Initial teaching qualifications gained in a country other than NZ | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Principal | 96% | 4% | 100% |
Senior Management | 93% | 7% | 100% |
Middle Management | 87% | 13% | 100% |
Teacher | 88% | 12% | 100% |
Other | 89% | 11% | 100% |
Total | 89% | 11% | 100% |
Teaching Outside New Zealand
More than a quarter (28 percent) of all teachers, have taught outside New Zealand. Asian teachers (62 percent) are most likely to have taught outside New Zealand , followed by Pasifika teachers (39 percent).
Ethnicity | Have taught outside NZ | Have not taught outside NZ | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Māori | 10% | 90% | 100% |
European/Pakeha | 27% | 73% | 100% |
Pasifika | 39% | 61% | 100% |
Asian | 62% | 38% | 100% |
Other | 55% | 45% | 100% |
Total | 28% | 72% | 100% |
Whilst around a quarter of primary school and composite school teachers have taught outside New Zealand, approximately a third of secondary school and special school teachers have taught outside New Zealand.
Note:
| |||
School Type | Have taught outside NZ | Have not taught outside NZ | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Primary | 25% | 75% | 100% |
Composite* | 27% | 73% | 100% |
Secondary | 33% | 67% | 100% |
Special | 36% | 64% | 100% |
Total | 28% | 72% | 100% |
Teachers aged less than 30 years are least likely to have taught outside New Zealand. Just under a fifth of teachers in this age group reported having taught outside New Zealand compared to closer to a third of teachers across the other age groups.
Age Grouping | Have taught outside NZ | Have not taught outside NZ | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Under 30 | 17% | 83% | 100% |
30-39 | 34% | 66% | 100% |
40-49 | 27% | 73% | 100% |
50-59 | 30% | 70% | 100% |
60 plus | 36% | 64% | 100% |
Total | 28% | 72% | 100% |
Teaching the Curriculum in Māori or a Pasifika Language
The 2004 Teacher Census asked teachers to indicate whether they had taught the curriculum in Māori or a Pasifika language. Around 4,400 teachers indicated that they had taught students in Māori and around 400 teachers indicated that they had taught students in a Pasifika language. Of those teaching in a Pasifika language, nearly three quarters indicated that they taught in Samoan.
Teacher Registration
The majority (98 percent) of teachers are registered teachers.
Note:
| ||||
School Type | Registered | Not registered but have Limited Authority to Teach | None of these | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Primary | 99% | 1% | 0% | 100% |
Composite* | 94% | 5% | 1% | 100% |
Secondary | 96% | 4% | 1% | 100% |
Special | 96% | 2% | 2% | 100% |
Total | 98% | 2% | 1% | 100% |
Labour Market Interest
3,659 teachers (8 percent of all respondents) indicated they had applied for job outside the state teaching sector. This is comparable with the loss rate data collected by the Ministry of Education (10 percent between 2003 and 2004). Of those who indicated that they had applied for a job outside the state teaching sector more than half indicated that they had applied for a teaching job at a New Zealand independent school, and just over a third indicated that they had applied for a non-teaching job in New Zealand.
Secondary School Level Teachers by Teaching Subject Area
In the 2004 Teacher Census secondary school teachers were asked what subjects they taught. 16,863 respondents indicated that they taught at the secondary level (years 9-13) and specified their teaching subjects.
Nearly a quarter of teachers teaching secondary level students indicated that they taught English, followed by mathematics, social sciences, and science.
Subject Area | Number | % |
---|---|---|
Arts | 2464 | 15 |
Commerce | 923 | 5 |
English incl. ESOL | 4129 | 24 |
Health and Physical Well-Being | 2858 | 17 |
Languages | 1295 | 8 |
Maths | 3231 | 19 |
Science | 3002 | 18 |
Social Sciences | 3130 | 19 |
Technology | 2756 | 16 |
Other | 2918 | 17 |
Of those 16,863 respondents who indicated that they taught at the secondary level (years 9-13) and specified their teaching subjects:
- 35 percent taught one subject,
- 35 percent taught two subjects,
- 17 percent taught three subjects,
- 7 percent taught four subjects,
- the remaining 6 percent indicated that they taught more than four subjects.
In the 2004 Teacher Census, teachers were asked if they had delivered the curriculum in either Māori or a Pasifika language in the 5 most recent days that they had taught.
Percentages don't add up to 100% because teachers could be teaching in more than one subject area.
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