Public school teachers from the NSW Teachers Federation plan to strike on December 7 in response to the NSW Government’s failure to address teacher shortages.
Secret Department of Education briefings that were released revealed NSW is experiencing a significant and growing shortage of teachers.
The briefings include that the shortage could result in the running out of teachers in the next 5 years.
It was also revealed in the briefings the cause behind the shortage was due to current rewards not providing enough incentives despite demands and expectations on teachers increasing.
Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said the union had exhausted all options for 18 months to persuade the Government to solve the decline in working conditions and salaries.
“This is about the future of the teaching profession and the quality of education children receive,” Gavrielatos said.
“No student should miss out because of a lack of teachers, but this is what is going to increasingly happen across NSW if the Government fails to act.”
Gavrielatos said conditions for teachers have worsened over the years.
“Every year teachers have been asked to do more and every year their salary has fallen compared to other professions,” he said.
“The time teachers have for planning and preparation outside the classroom hasn’t increased since the 1980s for primary teachers and the 1950s for secondary teachers.”
The NSW Department of Education issued a statement together with the Industrial Relations Commission ordering the Federation to stop the strike.
The Federation has refused to follow the Commission’s orders.
Despite strongly encouraging the Federation to comply with the Commission’s request, the Department of Education is also making sure its student and families are supported during the strike.
NSW Teachers Federation Members from greater Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong, the Southern Highlands and the Blue Mountains will rally outside NSW Parliament House.
Meanwhile, all other members will protest at regional centres designated throughout the state.
Visit the NSW Teachers Federation and the Department of Education websites for more information.
