More support for Queensland teachers
November 19, 2017
Queensland schools will attract more of the best and brightest to the profession through a five-point plan under a re-elected Palaszczuk Government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Labor had worked to improve education in Queensland after Tim Nicholls cut more than 500 teachers and sacked 700 education support staff when he was Campbell Newman’s Treasurer.
Ms Palaszczuk said Labor would invest $107 million to ensure Queensland meets the demand for quality teachers across the state.
“To have the best future for Queensland children, we need to have the best schools with the best teachers,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Our teachers are already dedicated professionals who do their best day-in and day-out but we want to do more.
“We want to ensure Queensland students have access to the best learning so they can find jobs, participate fully in a growing economy and go on to further jobs and training and education.
“You do that by investing in education, not cutting teaching positions.”
The five point plan will involve:
- Increasing the number of Queenslanders attracted to teaching through career ambassadors, transition programs for professionals, tradies and education support staff
- Increasing the number of graduate and experienced teachers seeking employment in Queensland state schools through, for example, establishing teaching centres of excellence
- Supporting state schools to recruit the best teachers from across the state and nationally through reviewing incentives and benefits available in regional and rural communities
- Providing greater support for experienced and specialist teachers to teach across the curriculum through coaching and professional development
- Supporting teachers to stay in the classroom and build their expertise across the curriculum.
Education Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government had delivered record education budgets and re-invested in education.
“Since we were elected, we have employed 3,450 new teachers and 1,000 additional teacher aides,” Ms Jones said.
“We’re driving STEM outcomes through the employment of specialists in each region to support every school.”
Ms Palaszczuk said voters would have a choice on November 25 between a stable Labor Government that has a track record of delivering more teachers for Queensland schools or a coalition between Tim Nicholls and One Nation.
