Institute Bill passed unamended

By Jennifer Leete

The NSW Government's Institute of Teachers Bill 2004 was passed unamended by the NSW Upper House on June 30.

Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon moved a package of amendments which Federation had requested but these amendments were defeated.

The passage of the Bill means that the Government will proceed to set up the Institute which includes the appointment of a chair, the establishment of a Board of Governance (the chair plus three others appointed by the Minister) and the election and nomination of members to the Quality Teaching Council.

All permanent public school teachers will be invited to nominate and vote to select seven teachers (including two who are in principal positions).

It is expected that this election should take place by the end of 2004 or early 2005.

Later this year consultation will occur with teachers on the draft Professional Teaching Standards which the interim committee of the Institute has prepared.

The passing of the legislation presents some real dangers for public education teachers and Federation. The union did not support the Bill.

Federation's concerns with the legislation include:

• the control and power of the Board of Governance -- all Ministerial appointees -- to "oversee the functions of the Institute".
• the power given to non government school principals and potentially principals in government schools to determine "whether teachers meet the standard determined by the Institute"
• the lack of clarity regarding the treatment of those teachers without formal academic teaching qualifications.

The first years of the Institute's operation will set the direction for its future work and its impact on Federation members' working lives. Many of the decisions to be taken by the Institute will have clear industrial and employment implications. Annual Conference decided that as the industrial organisation charged with protecting and promoting the employment rights of teachers, Federation has an obligation to participate and to take all possible steps to maximise its influence on the Institute.

Federation Council will determine a strategy to achieve the appointment and election of Federation endorsed candidates to the Quality Teaching Council positions. This could include Federation endorsing more than the number to be elected in the ballot.

Depending on the timing of the Quality Teaching Council elections, Federation's September Council meeting will develop this strategy.

Jennifer Leete is the Acting President.

For further information

August 2004 contents