Staff at Boggabilla Central School have walked off the job over the negative impact the state-wide teacher shortage is having on their school.
NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra said staff walked out in protest at the chronic shortage of teachers in the public education system which has meant the school has had difficulty covering classes on a daily basis.
“Boggabilla Central School has a high percentage of students with significant needs and as a result of the shortage of casuals and the collapsing of classes, attendance has dropped, engagement has decreased and learning outcomes at the school have declined,” Mr Rajendra said.
“Teacher workload has increased as they are asked to cover additional classes as well as performing extra canteen and playground duties.”
“Boggabilla Central School is also without a permanent early childhood teacher and does not have a full-time counsellor, both of which are critical at a school which has students with significant needs.”
“Over the past decade the NSW Government and the Education Department have weakened previously successful processes that ensured adequate staffing of all schools across the state,” Mr Rajendra said.
“The Gallop inquiry into the work of teachers found earlier this year that uncompetitive salaries for teachers and unsustainable workloads are leading to teacher shortages.”
“The workloads of teachers have increased every year, but their salaries have fallen every year compared to other professions.”
“You can’t fix the shortages without fixing the wages and workload problem.”
“If we don’t pay teachers what they are worth, we won’t get the teachers we need.”