Teachers Federation members at Mudgee High 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 frustration at the shortage of casual teachers and insufficient access to school counsellors.
“Our members at Mudgee High are concerned about the salaries and working conditions of teachers which have made it difficult for the school to attract and retain staff,” Mr Rajendra said.
“Teachers have called on the NSW Government to relieve the staffing crisis by appointing additional permanent teachers to the school to enable an inbuilt relief process.”
“Like many teachers in rural and remote areas of the state, they are calling for incentives for teachers to move to schools in regional areas.”
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 workload 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.”