In June federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne announced a $22 million expansion of Teach for Australia.
However the Australian Education Union opposes the program on the grounds it is more expensive than traditional teaching courses,has a high drop-out rate and creates the impression that six weeks'initial training is sufficient to teach in tough classrooms.
Melbourne University was paid more than $8 million by the federal government to run teacher training for Teach for Australia from 2010. However last month it was announced Deakin University won the tender to teach the course from 2015 to 2018.
Professor Rickards said there was no link to the submission and the tender outcome. “We are concerned about perceptions that have no basis. It was unfortunate you were given a draft submission.”
He said the university supported the Teach for Australia program,was proud of its contribution to the first five cohorts of students and was exploring ways to continue its partnership with Teach for Australia in a new capacity.
Teach for Australia graduates,known as associates,are paid to learn on the job while completing a teaching qualification over two years.
They teach for 80 per cent of their time and receive mentoring from other staff at their school and education advisers.
According to the financial statement lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission,Teach for Australia had a $2.3 million surplus last year. It had $5.3 million in revenue,including $2 million for staff and contractors.
Australian Education Union president Angelos Gavrielatos said the evidence did not support funding Teach for Australia.
“While the government is attempting to walk away from school funding reform we see it continuing to provide funds to a program that is questionable to say the least and is sitting on surpluses of taxpayers’ money,” he said.