Finally our NSW State School Principal’s will be able to employ the teachers of their choosing under a new proposal from the Minister of Education, John Della Bosca.
All employers should be able to seek out the best possible applicant to their vacant positions. Unfortunately our schools have been held back by a Department of Education bureaucratic system where a principal has to accept the next person on their very long list. The principal is left unknowing whom they are getting and if they will suit the unique requirements of their school.
The Teacher’s Federation opposes such a proposal. This doesn’t overly surprise me, as the Federation seems to oppose everything where the student could be the probable winner.
Here’s why it makes sense to me. A Principal by going through the process will meet the best applicant through an interview. They ultimately find the best applicant who they believe will best serve the school and fulfil their needs. That has to be great for students and for the education system as a whole.
Here’s what the print media have had to say about the proposal:
From the Sydney Morning Herald (5/2/08):
All employers should be able to seek out the best possible applicant to their vacant positions. Unfortunately our schools have been held back by a Department of Education bureaucratic system where a principal has to accept the next person on their very long list. The principal is left unknowing whom they are getting and if they will suit the unique requirements of their school.
The Teacher’s Federation opposes such a proposal. This doesn’t overly surprise me, as the Federation seems to oppose everything where the student could be the probable winner.
Here’s why it makes sense to me. A Principal by going through the process will meet the best applicant through an interview. They ultimately find the best applicant who they believe will best serve the school and fulfil their needs. That has to be great for students and for the education system as a whole.
Here’s what the print media have had to say about the proposal:
From the Sydney Morning Herald (5/2/08):
- Principals have embraced the opportunity for greater freedom in hiring
- Teachers will fight the move…..will effectively dismantle the transfer system
- Mr Della Bosca said no employment rights were being removed. “I am also committed to finding even better ways to encourage and reward teachers who move to these schools (hard to staff)”
- The change will enable schools - under intense pressure to achieve good results in a competitive market - to select their own teachers instead of being forced to take the choice of departmental bureaucrats.
- The federation warned of "imminent industrial action" over three major issues - a demand for at least 1000 more permanent teachers, a fair system of staffing and salary increases up to 16 per cent.
What is the Federation really afraid of? Do they really think the Govt will degrade the Dept of Education any further after the criticism it has copped in recent years. Perhaps they are afraid their non performing members will lose their jobs, or not get them in the first place.
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1 comment:
I have mixed opinions.
I like the idea of being interviewed, meeting the school and staff before taking a job, rather than just being placed.
However, I'm in a 7-10 only school. So, if I'm equal in every other way to another candidate, I will lose out if they have 11-12 experience - simply because we were placed in different schools as graduates.
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