Teacher housing conditions grim, Council hears

Some teachers sent to remote areas are living in apalling conditions, Federation's June Council heard.

Federation has authorised staff in affected schools to take immediate industrial action.

Council heard teachers are currently sent to remote area schools with a promise of adequate accommodation made by DET Staffing "only to arrive and find either no housing available, unacceptable sharing arrangements or substandard conditions".

Federation Council said: "The DET uses this assurance of accommodation as an incentive to encourage teachers to accept positions in isolated rural communities."

"We [Federation Council] find, however, a new teacher is now sleeping on the floor of a caravan in Ivanhoe, due to both a lack of housing and unhygienic bedding in the only caravan available. In Wilcannia, houses have been without heating for three years; other houses are infested with vermin and spiders, and have holes in the walls or lack proper plumbing and drainage. Other places, like Broken Hill and Hay have teachers housed in areas which are unsafe, in houses where the doors do not shut completely, creating a serious security problem."

Council called upon Federation and Department of Education and Training to make a joint review of the Teacher Housing Authority (THA) including the provision, maintenance and the allocation of accommodation in remote areas served by the THA, paying particular attention to the adequacy of housing in remote areas.

Federation will also push for improved security for THA residences. This security will include secure car parking provision.

Garages to replace carports

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June 2005 contents