Page 933 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 1990
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schools. Time is an enemy to me, so I will not go on too much about all these schools, such as Narrabundah Primary, Richardson Primary and the disadvantage program, Lyneham High School with its special LEAP program, and the college sectors. I am very impressed by the ones that I have seen. They really bear out what is said, perhaps rather glossily, in the report.
However, I want to turn from congratulations to mention some worries which arise from reading this report, and in particular - I have time for only one area - I want to concentrate on teachers. Most of what is written at pages 48 to 49 is positive - study awards, a new promotion structure, an early retirement scheme, et cetera - but the reflection on good industrial relations in the 1988-89 report is followed this year by new problems which were raised at question time today.
There is the problem of the recruitment and payment of teachers, and I think we should start worrying about possible future problems in that area. Salary arrangements initiated in 1988-89 are again under investigation in 1989-90. There are problems ahead. There are implicit obligations on this Assembly and the Alliance Government to carry through plans to improve the lot of underpaid teachers. We may be looking at flow-on requests of up to 10 per cent, and these are really deserved. You have only to look at Victoria, New South Wales and the rest of the country to see that at a time when we are required to make cuts we are required to improve the salaries of teachers. We have a great problem here. (Extension of time granted)
It is a question of not just raising the salaries of teachers, which is a very considerable matter, but also the overall quality of teachers. We do not just want to have a nice, easy relationship and hope that by paying them more money they will be better; it is not that simple. You do not do that by salaries alone, although you certainly need to start there.
Teaching is a profession to which people need to be dedicated. That extraordinary teacher in Dead Poets Society was not motivated by money, and the best teachers are not, but they have spouses and children who have to be looked after, too. I believe you have to create certain levels of master teachers who will be as revered in our society as professional sports people, surgeons, captains of industry and the best of politicians. Part of that is to do with salary, to be sure.
I was listening to the Science Show last Saturday afternoon. A British educator from the university system was asked how he would begin to improve the education system, especially the teaching of science in schools. He said, "We have to be very drastic indeed; we must double teachers' salaries". Who is to say how realistic that is? The real way of raising the status of teachers is by making that profession one of the most honoured in our society. I do not see
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