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Austerity? The Public Service Size Increased Again

That means there is currently a broken promise of $295,200,000 per annum with the 1,476 extra staff.

Photo by elaine alex / Unsplash

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Alwyn Poole
Began teaching in 1991. TBC, HBHS, St Cuths. Founded/led Mt Hobson MS–18 years. Co-founded SAMS and MSWA. Econs degree, Masters in Edn, tchg dip, post grad dip – sport.

In the March Quarter the Public Service workforce grew from 63,657 FTEs to 64,535. A quarterly increase of 1.4 per cent and 12 month increase of 2.1 per cent.

Ironically the Ministry for Regulation FTEs grew 11.6 per cent.

The Ministry of Education grew by a whopping 341 FTEs up 8.9 per cent. That total now stands at 4,176 and is approaching the June 2024 total of 4,387. That is in complete contrast to the pre-election promise to bring the Ministry of Education FTEs down to the pre-Hipkins’ total of 2,700. An estimate of the cost of employing a FTE in the ministry would be at least $200,000. That means there is currently a broken promise of $295,200,000 per annum with the 1,476 extra staff. Money that would have plenty of better uses in education as, after 35 years in the sector, I have no idea what most of the education bureaucrats do.

This article was originally published by Education – the Absolute Best Ways.

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