Media Release – Friday 14 October 2011
The Independent Education Union has congratulated the teachers and principals who have been recognised as either winners or finalists at the Australian Awards for Outstanding Teaching and School Leadership.
Federal Secretary of the IEU, Mr Chris Watt said whilst the awards provide an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the inspirational work of a handful of teachers, these awards don’t tackle the real issues facing the profession.
“Recognition, better pay, respect, and further opportunities are the key ingredients to rewarding and valuing teachers, not through one off ‘bonuses’ which are tied to testing of students,” said Mr Watt.
“In a similar vein the Australian Government is pursuing a performance pay scheme that would only lead to a poorer outcome for our education system, while only one in every 10 are rewarded.
“International experience shows that one off bonuses don’t work, but the methods that do work include giving the teaching profession the due respect it deserves through greater recognition in our society.
“An increase in recognition and respect needs to start at a government level with increases in pay and better conditions for teachers,” said Mr Watt.
Media Contact: Evan Langdon 0429 020 409