School staffing crisis sparks walkout at Plumpton High school

TFED

Teachers Federation members at Plumpton 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 Education Department to properly staff our public schools.

“The chronic lack of casual teachers is having a negative effect on the school’s ability to offer students many of the rich learning activities they would wish to participate in,” Mr Rajendra said.

“The staffing crisis means teachers at Plumpton High have been denied planning and professional development opportunities as the school reorganises classes to cover for colleagues on sick or long service leave.”

“Our members are calling on the Education Department to urgently appoint qualified teachers to all vacant positions at the school and to appoint additional permanent positions to assist the school manage absences.”

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.”

/Public Release.