Special Education

Niland SSP win staffing improvements

Niland SSP Teachers Federation and PSA members rallied together in a successful campaign seeking staffing betterments to improve student learning and OH&S conditions at their school.

Charged with the responsibility of educating children clinically diagnosed with emotional disorders and mild intellectual disabilities, all staff worked under very extreme, challenging and dangerous conditions where physical assault was an all too common occurrence. The nature of the children is such that a teacher and a teacher aide are required per class. However, the school was only staffed with four teacher aides to support nine classes. The staff decided that this staffing formula was inadequate and it was time to act.

The teachers formally wrote to the Minister for Education & Training, Dr Refshauge, demanding funding that would improve their adverse student learning and OH&S conditions. Having failed to provide an adequate response to this letter and subsequent letters, the teachers resolved to take their message straight to the Minister.

During the second last week of term 4, Niland SSP teachers and teacher aides stopped worked for 24 hours. The staff boarded buses and headed for the Minister's city-based office where they demonstrated against the Government in front of a large media gathering.

The Government and DET could no longer ignore the staff. As a result, a delegation was invited to meet with a cast of senior DET and Ministerial officers including the Director General of Education & Training, a representative from the Minister's office and Deputy Directors General.

The delegation made very clear and cogent arguments during this meeting. Their case was compelling. However, at the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation was left with no commitments.

Despite this lack of support from the Government the staff resolved to continue with a coordinated period of industrial action with other SSPs throughout the State at the beginning of the 2004 school year.

This proved to be too much pressure for the Government. After wide spread media coverage, industrial action and proposed further action, the Government conceded to the demands of Niland SSP. From the beginning of the 2004 school year, Niland will be staffed with a teacher aide for every class. In addition, the school has been allocated a mobile teacher position above establishment and increased school counsellor time.

The staff of Niland SSP are to be congratulated on a united, determined and successful campaign.

POSTSCRIPT

BENEFITS TO SPREAD ACROSS MORE SCHOOLS

Due to the effective industrial action taken by Niland SSP last term and Lawrence Hargrave SSP in 2002, 3 additional schools will benefit with increased teacher aides (special) allocation. Minerva, Coreen and Rowland Hassall will be provided with one teacher aide (special) position for every class.

Whilst Federation Officers will continue to pursue betterments for teachers and students in special education settings, it is critical that schools affected build campaigns highlighting the needs of the children they teach, and the OH&S of all staff and students.

The actions of Niland and Lawrence Hargrave SSPs have shown that significant improvements are achievable.

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Last Modified: 19 Feb 2007