Reader's Comment 12 of 19, Exodus could lead to teacher shortages, Yasmine Phillips Education Reporter, The Sunday Times, 5 February 2011: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/exodus-could-lead-to-teacher-shortages/story-e6frg13u-1226000688117 Historical link preserved from the original page.
West Australian Education Minister says older teachers are 'highly valuable assets'. Historical link preserved from the original page.
West Australian State School Teachers Union president Anne Gisborne called for more flexible working arrangements for older teachers and a "deliberate" campaign to attract more young people to cope with looming shortages. Historical link preserved from the original page.
Teaching is a tough job you're on your feet all day long, your head never stops and it's not unusual for you to go through a day without any guaranteed lunch break, " she said.
Education Minister Liz Constable said she was developing a long-term strategy to attract and retain teachers.
Dr Constable said she did not support a South Australian scheme that offered "burnout bonuses" of $50,000 to ageing teachers in a bid to attract younger people into the profession. Historical link preserved from the original page.
In WA, we want teachers who have accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge over long careers in the classroom to stay doing what they do best for as long as possible, " she said.
They are highly valuable assets to the education system and I am looking to encourage them to keep teaching, rather than put in place any program that might encourage them to leave.