IEUA Challenge to COAG

“It’s time for Education Ministers to commit to all pieces of the multifaceted picture that will provide for continued improvement in quality teaching in this country” said Independent Education Union of Australia Federal Secretary Chris Watt.

“The pieces of the teaching quality picture include rigorous pre-service training with clear entry standards; it includes peer assistance, induction, mentoring and a collegial environment; it requires ongoing professional development opportunities and it includes evaluation of teachers’ work based on professional standards.”

“And locking all of this together is the need to recognize and provide for professional compensation” said Mr Watt

“This weekend’s COAG meeting provides a unique opportunity for Education Ministers to get this right.”

“Australian school students deserve nothing less.”

“Unless COAG Ministers commit to resourcing and developing all aspects of the teacher quality jigsaw then it will simply fall apart.”

“What Australia does not need is the increasingly discredited model promoted by the visiting New York City education chancellor Joel Klein” said Mr Watt.

“What we know from New York teachers and parents is that there is complete paranoia about the testing-obsessed system, with a lot of good teaching going by the wayside and claims of endemic cheating.”

“As a consequence the face of teaching is also looking worse for wear.”

“Parents know how complex and demanding is the task of educating their child” he said “and educating a classroom of children requires highly skilled professionals who are supported and encouraged.”

Contact

Chris Watt

Federal Secretary IEUA

Ph:       0419 259 143                       02 6273 3107