Technological and applied studies (TAS) – which cover subjects such as agriculture,design and technology,as well as wood and metal work – are also seeing shortages,she said. “TAS teachers can get jobs in the industry,and the industry pays more.”
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AHISA chief executive Beth Blackwood said there was “far greater overall staff movement last year than in 2019”,with almost one-third of principals reporting school psychologist shortages,and about 20 per cent said finding school counsellors was challenging.
“There has been a loss of staff that weren’t vaccinated against COVID-19,teachers off sick and fatigue is a huge factor,” said Blackwood.
Lee Hyland,president of the Mathematical Association of NSW,said while teacher shortages “have been coming for a while,COVID-19 has sent it over the edge.”
“Many maths teachers in their first year out of university could earn double if they took a job in data analysis,statistics or modelling.”
“The workload has increased exponentially in the 27 years I have been teaching,especially administrative work. We need trained maths teachers in classes because they can explain the content the best. They are seeing teaching as devalued.”
A spokesperson for the Science Teachers Association of NSW said there was a sharp increase in science teacher shortages and teaching out of field.
“Science teacher numbers have been decreasing for years,and we have been advocating for action. We will be collecting further data on this to present to education ministers at the state and federal level.”
Mark Spencer,director of public policy at Christian Schools Australia,said teachers near retirement are leaving the workforce sooner than expected.
Petersen said along with “appropriately addressing professional concerns around salaries and working conditions,governments can also ensure educators are consulted around policy and decisions that will impact on schools. Our voice seems the last to be heard.”
Geoff Newcombe,head of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW,said the independent sector have established a three-year strategy,Growing and Nurturing Educators (GANE) to attract more people to teaching.
“This will include attracting more school leavers and career changers into teaching,attracting more diverse graduates,increasing teacher placements in the independent school sector and providing more support for teachers in the early stages of their careers,” he said.
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