Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has released the draft version of a National Teacher Workforce Action Plan, which intends to address the nation’s teacher shortage.
The Plan identifies six key areas, including elevating the profession, improving teacher supply, strengthening initial teacher education, maximising teaching time, understanding future teacher workforce needs and creating better pathways to support and retain teachers.
The Secretary of the Australian Department of Education Dr Michele Bruniges led the Plan’s developmental working group that included senior officials from state and territory governments as well as representatives from unions and education peak bodies.
Tanya Malley, deputy principal of Sacred Heart College Geelong, voiced her support for the Plan.
“Sacred Heart College Geelong, like all schools, is enthusiastic about any plans to address teacher shortages and the challenge of delivering world class education and working environments,” she said.
“The prioritisation and development of actions that will address teacher workforce needs are welcomed and like all schools we look forward to the implementation of strategies that elevate the teaching profession and enable us to deliver quality educational outcomes for our students.”
Australian Education Union deputy federal president Meredith Peace said the Plan was an important first step towards addressing the teacher shortage crisis.
“We welcome the recognition of these issues by Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and the allocation of Commonwealth funding to address the workforce crisis, including for bursaries to attract new students and mid-career professionals to undertake initial teacher education,” Ms Peace said.
