Anonymous #281

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #281

Where are you located?

South Australia

What type of area do you live in?

Metropolitan

Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)

Yes

Which sector do you work in?

Secondary

What is your occupation?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Over numerous years the number of students/ new graduates coming from universities for placement at schools was countless. So spending resources at the university level does not resolve the issues the industry faces.
Unfortunately a teaching degree gets you only a small way along being and effective proven educator and experience is what takes it there. This is what is being undervalued and misunderstood. Tokenistic value placed on teachers such as promotion, will also not make a lasting or real change to the industry, much like a pat on the back or the presenting of a certificate does not enrich someone's life that has poured their soul into their job, it creates insult. The lack of retention of experienced teachers is core to some of the issues faced, such as lack of permanency and options for career advancement. This is further evident by the corruption in the system of governance, by promoting the cheapest option to convert inexperienced student teachers to permanent positions within 6 months in some cases. This indicates what lack of value the investment long the term is in the education system and the much needed transparency. Large investments were made over the years for STEM initiatives and many schools now do not host a true structured STEM program. Naming a program is not an real claim to hosting this form of education. The method of seeking relief teachers currently is inefficient and in most cases inequitable, which simply another major issue teachers face. Overall, the distrust in the system causes a lack of retention and recruitment opportunities.

Improving teacher supply

The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The number of students entering ITE in South Australia is not the issue. The number of quality teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession is what needs to be addressed.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Burn out is partially addressed in the draft action plan. The pilot fund time frame may be too late for most teachers already on the cusp and will have left the industry by the proposed time frame. Inefficient and inconsistent administration demands across various sites, is one of the largest causes for burn out. Teaching is not the cause of it, but rather the continual increase of government regulatory demands that were never present in the industry, that have been burdened on the teacher and could be directed elsewhere. Hopefully action point 15 will address this, by allowing a teacher to get back to their job, however there is no mention of South Australia, which will no doubt be left behind. Point 16 may be all well and good, where changes to the Curriculum are supported, however implementation of these rarely really given any consideration to workload. A perfect example is the priorities placed on data, which there is no argument about, however for this to be accurately, collected and appropriately analysed and used, does take investment of time, that was never factored in.

Better understanding future teacher workforce needs

How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?

Not effective at all

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Action point 22, so far has exacerbated the problem with rushing new graduates into positions that they are not ready for, because some teaching positions had become difficult to fill. This does not improve the overall performance within the industry, it waters it down. The teacher registration process in itself is a minefield for teachers to navigate in order to continue in their profession.
Action point 23 which mentions superannuation, has not been a point which attracts teachers to their profession, as the past decade this scheme has been atrocious. It is inflexible, unrewarding and is like no other industry fund.

Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession

The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

HALT has been established for quite a while. If it was streamlined and effective, it would have proven itself by now as being an attractive option. The disparity between leadership and teaching may go a long way to explaining this.