Teachers Federation members at Moruya 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 the consequent increases in workload to compensate for staff shortages. The lack of adequate staffing at the school has also seen classes split.
“Our members at Moruya High School are deeply concerned that not enough is being done to address the current staffing crisis which is expected to worsen over the coming years,” Mr Rajendra said.
“Staff at Moruya High say the shortage of teachers is affecting curriculum delivery and forcing teachers to work in unsustainable conditions which are detrimental to their physical and mental health.”
“They believe if more permanent positions were available, staff shortages would be minimised, and teachers would be more willing to move to remote and regional parts of the state.”
“Like many teachers in the country, 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 has 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.”