NSW Teachers Federation members at Concord High School walked off the job today and are calling on the Education Department to urgently deal with the staffing crisis at their school and hundreds of other schools across the state.
NSW Teachers Federation deputy president Henry Rajendra said Concord High had been unable to staff all classes at the school because of multiple unfilled teaching vacancies.
"The state-wide teacher shortage has resulted in some classes at Concord being taught by different teachers over several weeks," Mr Rajendra said.
"This also forces teachers to teach outside their subject area, teach combined classes or leave students under minimal supervision."
"Teachers at Concord High have been placed under extreme pressure attempting to staff classes and concentrate on providing high quality lessons."
"However, they are not being supported by the NSW Government or the Education Department which has failed to address the teacher shortage to the extent that the school may now have to cut some HSC courses because of the staffing crisis."
Mr Rajendra said teachers at Concord High were calling on the NSW Government to ensure every class was staffed with a consistent and appropriately qualified and subject-trained teacher."
"This staffing crisis has been caused by the failure of the NSW Government to address the teacher shortage over more than a decade."
"They have let down students, parents and the wider community."
"Previously successful processes that ensured adequate staffing of all schools across the state have been weakened."
"The recent Gallop Report showed that the recruitment and retention of teachers will require a significant increase in salaries."
KANDOS HIGH TEACHERS HAVE ALSO WALKED OFF THE JOB DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES
Mr Rajendra said staff at Kandos High School in the NSW Central Tablelands also walked off the job yesterday over concerns that a position for head teacher maths remains unfilled.
