Cuts in support for neediest students

The NSW Department of Education and Training is planning to abolish over 1800 teaching positions and replace them with 'Coordinators'.

Teachers Federation President, Bob Lipscombe, says this action will reduce direct teaching support for students with special needs and learning difficulties.

'This is a serious attack on direct teacher support for students. We don't have enough Support Teacher Learning Assistance (STLA) positions to meet students' needs as it is.

'Converting these important teacher positions into so-called Coordinators means less time will be spent with each student who needs additional help with reading, writing and basic skills.

'The role statement for these Coordinators includes duties that take teachers away from the classroom. They will be caught up on administrative and other tasks. This causes particular concerns, given the relocation of work previously done by the Department of Community Services (DOCS) to the Education Department.

'The Coordinator role statement indicates that teachers will now have to coordinate interagency support from government and non-government services, instead of actually teaching students.

'Of further concern is the fact that no special education qualifications or experience are required of applicants for these Coordinator positions. 'The Federation has called for a proper review and consultation process on any changes to the provision of special education teacher positions. We will take appropriate action against any imposed changes in this vitally important provision of special education' said the President.

On 7 and 20 May, Federation Officers met with the DET and were informed of plans to abolish 1830 support teacher positions, including 1200 Support Teacher Learning Assistance (STLA) and convert them into a new classification known as School Learning Support Co-ordinator (SLSC).

On 21 May Federation wrote to the DET seeking further details in writing. To date no satisfactory response has been received.

The Senior Officers of Federation then sought the intervention of the Minister's Office, but no change to the proposals or the timeline for implementation was achieved.

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http://www.nswtf.org.au/media/latest_2009/20090621_slsc.html
Last Modified: 21 Jun 2009