Page 3480 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 23 November 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Staffing shortages have had a direct impact on the workload of teachers. Almost all respondents, 97 per cent of respondents, describe their workload as at least difficult. More than three quarters, 78 per cent, describe their workload as ranging from difficult to extremely difficult. Nearly all, 97 per cent, said that they work more than their maximum weekly hours. This includes working on the weekends, in the evenings and during periods of leave or standdown.
Let me give another quote. Come on, Greens and Labor; listen to this. This is your government; this is the Education Directorate you refuse to have a review on. You came in here and said that there was no requirement. This is what the teachers are saying:
“Teachers are drowning. We need support.”
“Please do something soon. It is getting harder all the time.”
Shame on you!
Seventy-nine per cent of teachers surveyed said that they work excessive hours every week, and 59 per cent of classroom teachers say that this happens every week. That includes 70 per cent of primary level classroom teachers. Almost all teachers report working unpaid overtime every week, with more than 40 per cent working 10 or more hours, and even more hours when weekend work is included.
Let me give another quote. Listen to this. This is the directorate that you have been governing for the last 20 years. The report quotes teachers as saying:
“I have been teaching in the ACT for 25 years. The job/expectations have changed drastically over this time, with an increase in workload, accountability, paperwork, duties, family expectations and so on AND a decrease in resources, respect, job satisfaction.”
“There have been too many increases in accountability and expectations without support and resources.”
When I presented the Canberra Liberals report that was detailed by academics, P&Cs, experts in the field and the Auditor-General, the Greens and the Labor Party dismissed it, saying, “This is just some right-wing conspiracy.” Are you going to discount this? Are you going to discount the words of the teachers, Mr Assistant Speaker? Are you going to stand up? Are the Greens going to stand up and say, “This is just some right-wing conspiracy.” This is teachers; this is the Australian Education Union; and it is damning.
Let me give you another quote from teachers on the front line through the union report:
Schools are seriously underfunded … We often joke about how schools are the only government jobs where you ‘steal’ from home to bring to school. We do it for the love of the children ... but it’s really not ok.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video