Think about the country

Recognition of country teaching service...Marie-Andre Gourouaya Debretagne.

Rural postings are more attractive when there�s a transfer system for teachers.

By Owen Hasler

Marie-Andre Gourouaya Debretagne arrived in Australia in 1986 from France via England. Having worked in a bilingual school in Canberra Marie-Andre undertook a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of New England from 2000 to 2003.

She was appointed to Narrabri High School as a language teacher in 2005 and told by a staffing officer that �going to the country was a good experience and good for promotion purposes�.

�I am happy to stay for five years in order to gain the transferred officers determination but believe that it is in both my personal and professional development interests to move to a larger centre,� Marie-Andre said.

�Rural towns such as Narrabri have limited health and dental services and I would like to teach more senior classes.

�I would certainly have been less inclined to consider a country posting if there was no transfer system available.�

�I will be fighting to retain the transfer system,� she said.

Owen Hasler is a Country Organiser.

©2000-2002 NSWTF Online is a resource for teachers
provided by the NSW Teachers Federation.
[Authorisation of election comment] [Privacy]

http://www.nswtf.org.au/journal_extras/thinkcntry.html
Last Modified: 18 Feb 2008