DET offers no additional funding on TL log of claims

By Sally Edsall

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has responded to the Federation's log of claims for teacher-librarians.

The response has been framed in a "no additional funding" context.

DET has agreed to:

• undertake an audit of current library staffing to ascertain the employment status and qualifications of teacher-librarians currently in the system
• work with principals and staffing branch to ensure that all vacancies are properly notified and filled
• issue a memorandum clarifying certain aspects such as administration time, supervision of senior students, executive release and administrative (SASS) support. Further discussion will take place around the content of the memorandum after it is drafted by DET.

Given the "no additional funding" mantra, no progress has been made on issues to do with:

• relief from face-to-face
• teacher-librarian allocation in schools with special needs and preschool classes
• School Administrative and Support Staff (SASS) staffing
• central school library staffing.

With respect to technology assistants for schools, DET is currently undertaking pilot programs.

Federation will continue to pursue each of these matters.

Sally Edsall is a Research Officer.

For further information

March 2004 contents