What is CRT (Classroom Release Time)?

Classroom Release Time (CRT) was made available to full time classroom teachers from Term 4 2005. It was negotiated as part of the Collective Agreement for Primary Teachers in 2004. Schools are provided with staffing (Calculation) to cover the release time.  Initially CRT is available only to full time teachers for 10 hours per term. From 2007 it is extended to those teachers working 0.8 or more on a pro rata basis. CRT is not available to principals.    Further details are contained in MoE Circular 2005/12.

How could CRT be used?

A briefing document (CRT booklet web.pdf) and the template policy (CRT template web.pdf), which was provided to schools, contains a list of ideas of how CRT could be used. The two key things that schools must decide are: what teachers will use the CRT for, and what the class will be taught during the provision of each teacher’s CRT? The answer to these will vary from school to school depending on their needs and availability of teaching staff.

Who decides how CRT can be used?

Each school must have a policy on the use of CRT. This policy will set out what CRT is to be used for. The process for designing the operational policy is through consultation between the principal and teachers. Prior to starting the process the principal should provide a briefing for the Board  (CRT Board Briefing Template.doc) and confirm that the Board has delegated responsibility to the principal. The final policy should be presented to the Board and minuted at a subsequent meeting of the Board of Trustees.

What happens if we already get classroom release time provided by the school? Is CRT in addition to this?

The school is entitled to review all its release time provisions at any time and the introduction of CRT is likely to trigger those reviews. One possible outcome of that review is that the school will revise its previous release time provisions.

How do I get more information about CRT?

Each school has been provided with the joint NZEI/NZSTA/MoE guidelines and other resources.

There are also some Frequently Asked Questions you can download (CRT faq web.pdf).

Contact your local NZSTA office for further assistance.