NSW school staffing crisis sparks walkout at Peel High in Tamworth

Teachers Federation members at Peel High School in Tamworth 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 after their school had been unable to cover 22 classes with casual teachers in the past week.

“Peel High school has had to collapse classes, cancel senior classes for Years 11 and 12 and provide minimal supervision of students on the oval,” Mr Rajendra said.

“The staffing crisis prompted a walkout by teachers who are fed up with the lack of action by the NSW Government to solve this problem.”

“Teachers are alarmed that through no fault of the school, students have been denied a safe and productive learning environment where they can be known, valued and cared for.”

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.”