$ 107m plan to boost teaching
LABOR has announced a plan to attract highly skilled professionals to a second career in teaching.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday announced that a re- elected Labor government would attract the “best and brightest” to schools across Queensland.
The Townsville Bulletin, as part of the Fair Go For Our Kids campaign, revealed children in regional areas were less likely to obtain a Year 12 education than those in the city.
Education experts called for experienced Queensland professionals to be brought into the teaching profession.
Labor’s policy comes after the LNP announced it would test how new teachers were able to help students on literacy and numeracy before allowing them to work.
Ms Palaszczuk said Labor’s $ 107 million program was designed to get better outcomes for students.
“To have the best future for Queensland children, we need to have the best schools with the best teachers,” she said. Labor’s plan includes: • Increasing the number of Queenslanders attracted to teaching through transition programs, career ambassadors, tradies and education support staff;
• Increasing the number of graduate and experienced teachers seeking employment in state schools through teaching centres of excellence;
• Reviewing incentives to help state schools recruit the best teachers;
• Providing greater support for specialist teachers;
• Helping teachers stay in the classroom.
Labor’s plan to attract teachers through transition programs is something experts have called for as part of the Fair Go For Our Kids push.
James Cook University head of maths Shaun Belward said people from professions such as engineering could be high- quality teachers.
“There’s people who, for whatever reason, are dissatisfied in their current careers, and if you can show them teaching is a viable option, the second way into teaching is doing a postgraduate degree,” he said.
“In recent years we’ve had quite a few engineers because of the downturn in the resources sector. You can exploit that market a bit more, get those people into maths and science to think about a change.”