Local school teachers will join others from around the region this week to highlight concerns with their workload.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The teachers are meeting with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall on Wednesday to seek support for changes suggested in a year-long inquiry.
Teachers will also be briefed on the findings of the Gallop Inquiry, which was commissioned by the NSW Teacher's Federation to examine the changing nature of teaching.
READ ALSO
Inverell teachers will be joined by colleagues from Armidale, Glen Innes, Uralla and Guyra for the meeting with Mr Marshall.
The report found that all aspects of teachers' work had "grown in volume and complexity" while wages had fallen behind comparable professions and systemic support had been taken away at a time workload had drastically increased.
Among the list of recommendations, teachers' salaries needed to increase by up to 15 per cent by 2022 to 2023, an extra two hours were needed for class preparation, and at least one school counsellor was needed for every 500 students.
Teachers say they will now call on Mr Marshall to urgently act on the findings of the Gallop Inquiry.
Armidale Teachers Association President Michael Sciffer said that action from their local member on the report findings was critical for teachers, principals and their students.
"Teachers and principals around the Northern Tablelands are no different to those right across the state. We're struggling under crippling workloads without the time or resources available to do the work expected of us," Mr Sciffer said.
"NSW is already experiencing teacher shortages, both full-time and casual teachers. Unless there is serious action on both salaries and workload this is only going to get worse.
"Local teachers need greater time for lesson preparation, we need a drastic reduction in the tasks required of us that take away from the core business of teaching and learning.
"Principals across the state are working, on average 62 hours a week while teachers are working, on average 55 hours a week, attempting to meet all the complex needs of students while dealing with the compliance and administration burden that the NSW Department have saddled us with," he said.
The report of the year-long independent inquiry into Valuing the Teaching Profession chaired by former WA premier Geoff Gallop was the first of its kind to occur since 2004.
The inquiry accepted 1000 submissions from teachers over a 12-month period.
"Politicians must listen to the teaching profession and the government must act on the recommendations of the inquiry," Mr Sciffer said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark inverelltimes.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Instagram @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Google News
