A meeting between Federation members and their local MP has led to advocacy on the floor of State Parliament for the Gallop inquiry’s recommendations for the future of the teaching profession.
“The concerns and frustrations of local teachers — heard first hand — resonated with our local member, who honoured the Association’s continued advocacy for real and substantial change in the teaching profession by making a Community Recognition Statement in NSW Parliament,” said Ettalong-Woy Woy Teachers Association President Christopher Wright.
Delegates from the Association met with Gosford MP Liesl Tesch to raise support for the findings of the Gallop inquiry on the wages, workload and future of the teaching profession.
In a statement provided for a Federation media release about the meeting, Ms Tesch said: “It was an important opportunity to meet with Federation representatives to hear of the changes that the teaching workload has undergone in recent years, and I appreciate teachers providing personal feedback.”
“I personally have a huge concern about teacher burnout, and the failure to attract and retain quality graduates in this very important profession.”
In Parliament, Ms Tesch thanked the Association “for embracing the Gallop report, continuing to work to elevate the concerns of local teachers, and highlighting the increased workload and stress in the educational workspace over the past 10 years”.
“It was great to meet with so many teachers who are positive about the future of their important profession,” Ms Tesch said.
“They are looking forward to the Berejiklian Government acting on the Gallop recommendations to save this important profession and drive it into a thriving future. Teachers are looking forward to the pay rise, the counsellor support, the increased preparation time, the improved steps in professional advancement [and] the collaborative work on future curriculum change.”
Mr Wright said the parliamentary statement was in recognition of the work of public school teachers in the local Association and the Gosford electorate, but was also “a boost to the wider campaign”. He said the recognition would strengthen the position of teachers seeking the support of their communities for the Gallop recommendations.
“Public school teachers need to step up their activism now and increase the pressure for change,” he said.
“Liesl Tesch has recognised the work of our local community but is well aware that public school teachers of the Gosford electorate must pursue this campaign with determination alongside our colleagues across NSW.
“As Ms Tesch said in the Community Recognition Statement: ‘I thank all teachers in my electorate across the Central Coast and NSW for the incredible work they do every day to educate and support our kids and families.
“I encourage them to keep active and keep the pressure on to improve the future educational outcomes for our kids, our state and our nation.’”