Teachers Federation members at Mullumbimby High School have walked off the job today 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 NSW Government to properly staff our public schools.
“Teachers at Mullumbimby High School have been doing their best to deliver teaching and learning programs, but several head teacher and classroom teacher positions remain unfilled despite having been advertised for two years,” Mr Rajendra said.
“In addition, a school counsellor position remains unfilled which is of concern as it has resulted in insufficient specialist support for emotionally and behaviourally challenged students.”
“Our members understand that the cause of the disruption at their school is the NSW Government’s failure to appoint sufficient staff and the state-wide shortage of casual teachers.”
“The shortage of teachers at the school has resulted in additional workload for staff who are being forced to work under enormous stress.”
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.”