S. Alcorn, Reader's Comment 5 of 22, SOS sent to young teachers across NSW, Kate Sikora, The Daily Telegraph, 8 December 2011: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/sos-sent-to-young-teachers-across-nsw/story-e6freuzi-1226216698710 Historical link preserved from the original page.
New South Wales: Why are men leaving teaching?
I think in NSW as well as the pay issue, the way that teachers are expected to begin their career also puts people off staying in the profession.
Yes we study at university for four years and we are well aware that for educated people we are one of the most underpaid professions, however, when we are forced to start as casuals for an extended period (could be many many years) with little hope of gaining a substantive position it makes us think "what was it all for?
Personally I need security in my job, having a family and a mortgage and not being able to move out west as they want us to.
The system needs a shake up or the young teachers won't stay.
There is also very little support.
We're expected to jump through many hoops as far as accrediation and payment of fees, paying for ongoing training.
We've just completed the most up to date training finishing university.
While I agree we need to keep up to date with changes in technology, we would benefit most from one on one mentoring on day to day tasks from teachers that have been there for many years.