NSW school staffing crisis hits Finley High School

Teachers Federation members at Finley 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 over the failure of the NSW Government to properly staff schools across the state.

“Teachers at Finley are calling on the NSW Government to address the shortage of casual and temporary teachers at their school that is disrupting lessons and increasing the workload of teachers.”

“They demand that the Education Department takes steps to avert the staffing crisis which is negatively impacting on the education of students.”

“It is clear the Education Department needs to reset the working conditions of teachers to address the complexity of schools and the intensification of teachers’ workload.”

“Our members at Finley also understand the importance of lifting incentives to attract and retain appropriately qualified teachers to rural schools.”

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.”