Have your say on rural lobbying plan

A plan to lobby politicians about the needs of rural teachers is being developed for use in the lead up to the 2007 state election. JOHN IRVING reports.

Members in rural and isolated schools and TAFE colleges are encouraged to consider what might be included in the Plan for Rural Teachers.

Previous lobbying plans have had success. In 2002 Federation developed a plan which was used as a tool to lobby the State Government and Opposition politicians in the lead up to the 2003 state election.

Federation was successful in gaining a number of initiatives for members in rural and isolated schools in 2003 including an increased teacher housing subsidy for teachers working in eight and six point schools, extension of the teacher relief scheme, additional personal leave, increased inbuilt relief, better information technology communication support and some other minor improvements. Initiatives detailed in the 2002 plan will be included in the new plan.

Federation's Country Organisers, Small Schools and Central Schools committees have met to develop the new plan.

In recognition of the fact that teacher shortages are first and most acutely experienced in difficult to staff rural and isolated areas, and teacher retention beyond the minimum period of service does contribute positively to the life of a school, its students and the community, it is essential that an incentives package, in addition to existing benefits, be provided to more fully compensate teachers for the effects of isolation, separation from family and friends, limited access to professional development services, entertainment and culturally enriching events/activities and cost of living.

In essence, a plan for rural teachers needs to include initiatives that will:

• foster pre-employment opportunities for trainee teachers and ensure that rural schools are fully staffed with appropriately trained teachers;
• reduce the effects of distance on teachers' personal and professional lives;
• give teachers in rural and remote areas a greater range of options by providing incentives to remain beyond their minimum service period.

A plan will address the needs of TAFE in rural and regional NSW, including:

• student access to a wide range of TAFE courses;
• teacher access to appropriate resources and technology including travel and accommodation;
• incentives for full time and part time teachers to staff difficult-to-staff locations and course program areas; and
• adequate resourcing for Aboriginal education. Some initial thoughts to improve a plan for rural and isolated teachers include:
• Aboriginal education update in line with Aboriginal Education Review and Schools in Partnerships (SiPs).
• reduced teaching load for beginning teachers at least for beginning teachers in 8, 6 and 4 point incentive schools
• extension of inbuilt and district relief
• 50 per cent rental subsidy for 4 point incentive schools
• allowance for those who own their own house in lieu of Teacher Housing Authority rental subsidy
• retention benefit should be increased to $12,000, $9,000 and $6,000 for 2, 3 and 5 year incentive schools
• personal leave should be increased to 10, 8 and 6 days for 2, 3 and 5 year incentive schools
• long service leave -- five years pro rata access
• review locality allowance as part of salary agreement incentives
• more behaviour support in rural areas
• DET should fund local community members delivering education programs in schools
• lobby government to increase overall funding to the Teacher Housing Authority
• executive support in isolated central schools -- assistant principal positions to deputy principal (primary) positions
• DET regional conferences for isolated/rural schools
• appointment to 8 point and other targeted schools during term 4 (week 5) of previous year
• more mentor positions or head teachers appointed to assist new teachers
• more school counsellor access
• more preschools in isolated areas/schools.

Any thoughts on the plan should be forwarded to Assistant General Secretary (Schools) John Irving, preferably in writing, during term 2 for inclusion in the Plan for Rural Teachers to be considered by Annual Conference.

John Irving is the Assistant General Secretary (Schools).

For further information

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