Mandatory policies -- The department getting something for nothing

As an employer the Department of Education and Training (DET) continually adds to our duties without negotiation. One way they do this is the introduction of mandatory policies.

Typically teachers are issued with a glossy book or folder, given minimal training (if any) and are expected to incorporate this into their teaching. Many of the duties are non-teaching.

Implementing the environmental education policy in your school

This mandatory policy also assumed the input of people not under the control of the DET -- cleaning contractors, parents, community volunteers, canteen helpers etc. It is nice if they wish to become involved, but the department cannot make them unless they wish to, or in the case of cleaners the contract is re-negotiated.

Some of the non-teaching roles this document assigns to teachers are:

• "make a list of items with minimal or no packaging to sell in the canteen" p.84
• "place bins in litter hot spots" p.84
• "participate in an Electricity Management Team" p.86
• "display the school's bills for the last four years in a prominent area in the school" p.86
• "erect signs reminding people to turn off lights" p.87
• "determine the most useful plants to attract birds and where to place them" p.116
• "prepare areas for planting" p.116
• "purchase plants to attract birds" p.117
• "plant in clumps to protect birds" p.117
• "examine and select the most appropriate bird box designs" p.117
• "construct bird boxes" p.117
• "place bird boxes in appropriate sites" p.117
• "monitor the number of birds that use the bird boxes" p.117
• "complete a bird count and compare the result with the biodiversity audit" p.117
• "plant and landscape the selected sites" p.119
• "count the number of plants and animals in the school grounds. Compare the results with the biodiversity audit" p.119
• "design and complete a questionnaire to canvass opinions about the changes" p.119.

This Conference reaffirms that teachers will only participate in activities directly related to teaching and learning and which, in their professional judgement, they deem feasible.

Teachers contribute massive amounts of time to voluntary projects such as submission writing for programs like Bushcare, Landcare and the Environmental Trust Fund. This time must be acknowledged by the DET, which must supply timetabled release if such tasks are to be done. Otherwise, teachers are urged to refuse participation in such programs.

2002 Annual Conference decisions

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005