The New South Wales government is considering using flying teachers to address staff shortages in schools, but the opposition says this is simply a band-aid solution.
The shortage of teachers is growing statewide as many professionals are laid off due to COVID-19 and the flu.
Now, the government is considering introducing FIFO teachers from regional communities to provide occasional classroom help to address the shortage.
The New South Wales government is considering using flying teachers to address staff shortages in schools. (9 News)
NSW Department of Education Deputy Secretary of School Performance Murat Dizdar said other government departments had similar agreements.
“I know that in the healthcare profession, for example, we have seen this model work quite successfully,” Dizdar said.
“So it’s one we have to look at and consider.”
Armidale Teachers Association President Michael Sciffer asked where FIFO teachers would come from, as the shortage is statewide.
“I think it’s more about the state government trying to distract itself from the real issues,” Sciffer said.
“If you go to FIFO where the teachers come from, we have shortages all over NSW, if you have flight teachers, it means another school is missing.”
Armidale Teachers Association President Michael Sciffer says FIFO will not address scarcity. (9 News)
Sciffer, who is a regional professor, said staff shortages are the worst he has seen in his 20-year career.
The Labor Party is calling on the government to introduce long-term solutions to the “chronic” shortage of teachers.
NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the FIFO solution is like “putting a sale on a broken leg”.
NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the government’s FIFO proposal is just a band-aid solution. (9 News)
“Teacher shortages are the product of 11 years of failure by the NSW Liberal National Government to properly attract and retain quality teachers in NSW schools,” Car said.
“We know that the most valuable thing for our children’s education is to have a qualified teacher in front of them, but too many students are losing it under this government.”
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