Contracted, Reader's Comment, No job security for new teachers, Jewel Topsfield

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Contracted, Reader's Comment, No job security for new teachers, Jewel Topsfield and Craig But, The Age, 4 January, 2012: http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/no-job-security-for-new-teachers-20120103-1pjoy.html Historical link preserved from the original page.

Experienced Victorian teacher: Many of my cohort during the 90's gave up teaching and moved into other careers.

I am an experienced primary teacher.

About 10 years ago I went overseas to work as I could not get a foot in the door of government primary schools.

I had always heard that male teachers were sought after within primary schools.

I could receive casual work but discovered that finding a permanent position was impossible.

I have gained considerable experience working in South East Asia teaching early years classes.

Now back in Melbourne, I applied for a part time position at a primary school.

174 teachers applied.

My experience, excellent references, and my gender could not get me even to interview stage.

I followed this through to discover that the school decided to only interview teachers with a Phd, or masters.

Still, I constantly hear that male teachers are sought after.

In the early months of the Kennett years I was a young teacher getting loads of casual work and awaiting permanency.

The week after the Kennett government retrenched thousands of teachers and made them the casual pool, I received an large envelope in the mail stating my and other existing casuals services would no longer be required.

Ever since then, teaching in Victoria has been downgraded dramatically.

Many of my cohort during the 90's gave up and moved into other careers.

Many were male teachers.

I stuck it out and had to build my career overseas.

I look at the present climate of teaching in Victoria and the still desperate need for male teachers for primary schools.

I can't be bothered and think I shall head overseas again.