Staffing crisis sparks walkout at Manning Gardens Public School

Teachers Federation members at Manning Gardens Public School at Taree have walked off the job over the impact the state-wide shortage of teachers is having on their school.

NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra said staff walked out because of the lack of action from the Education Department to properly staff our public schools.

“The lack of adequate staffing at the school has seen classes split and programs collapsed even though Manning Gardens Public School has a self-funded internal teacher relief scheme,” Mr Rajendra said.

“However, not even that scheme has meant every class has a teacher every day. On 20 occasions this year there have been no casual teachers available to cover teachers on leave.”

“Our members say the Education Department has failed to staff schools appropriately, creating negative consequences for curriculum delivery to students, student support, and work health and safety issues.”

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.”