Valuing the Teaching Profession – An Independent Inquiry

The Independent Inquiry has heard from the experts. Now it’s time for teachers and principals to have their say at the second round of hearings which begin in Sydney on Monday 26 October 2020.

Teachers and principals from around the state will give evidence about how the changes to their work along with additional responsibilities have made teaching in the classrooms of today more complex than ever.

The Independent Inquiry, headed by former WA Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop, is investigating the changed nature and value of teachers work.

NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said the Inquiry has received more than a thousand submissions from teachers, principals, schools and experts with the overwhelming message that teaching in our public schools is now more complex and challenging than it has ever been.

“Since the nature of teachers work was last examined in 2003, we have seen an accelerated rate of change in our schools, demanding new skills and responsibilities to manage Federal and State government policy demands, changes to curriculum, technologies, student needs, school complexity and increased community and parental expectations,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

“This has occurred against the backdrop of ill-conceived and misguided policies such as Local Schools, Local Decisions which has left teachers and principals with little if any support to manage greater and more complex levels of student need, while, at the same time, drowning in red tape, compliance measures and endless statistical reporting.”

“It’s not a question of whether teachers and principals need more support and more time to focus on teaching and learning. They do.”

“It’s not a question of whether the salaries of teachers and principals have kept pace with other comparable professions. They haven’t.”

“Our teachers and principals deserve better. The teaching service must be genuinely recognised and tangibly rewarded with more time to concentrate on teaching and learning and a competitive professional salary that matches the complexity and intensity of the work they do every day.”

The public hearings will recommence today with evidence from Henry Rajendra, Deputy President and Amber Flohm, Senior Vice President, NSW Teachers Federation, focusing on issues including, but not limited to:

  • Rural and remote education
  • Aboriginal students
  • Students with disabilities
  • Multicultural education
  • Public preschool provision
  • School staffing
  • Women in education

They will be followed by 26 members of the teaching service representing all classifications, including teachers and principals, from a wide variety of school settings across the state.

Where: Heritage Room When: from 10am Monday 26 October

Federation House

22-33 Mary St Surry Hills

The Inquiry will hear evidence this week, from Monday 26 October to Thursday 29 October and return for a further four days from Monday 9 November to Thursday 12 November.

Media can follow the Inquiry live online: www.teachinginquiry.com.au

Media contact John Hill 0412 197 079