Photo credit: NZLanka News
foreign primary school teachers in New Zealand may apply for residency right after receiving their job offers without having to work for two years first, according to the country’s immigration ministry.
VN Express reports that the new policy will take effect on March 26. Foreign primary school teachers must work for at least 30 hours a week and sign contracts lasting at least 12 months to apply for residency.
The decision came as New Zealand is gripped by a severe shortage of primary school teachers. The Ministry of Education last month anticipated a shortage of 1,259 teachers this year.
The minister of immigration Erica Stanford said a teacher shortage would not only affect students but also other school staff. In order to become a teacher in New Zealand, international students must graduate from a recognized teacher education program and achieve an IELTS score of at least 6.5.
