Teacher well-being in the spotlight

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said teachers needed more support in the classroom to help them lift student outcomes. 

A new report released today has found teachers are working longer hours and spending more time on administrative tasks. They are also dealing with levels of intimidation and verbal abuse higher than the OECD average. 

The Teaching and Learning International Survey 2018 Australian Report provides insight into the experience of teachers in Australia compared to other OECD countries. 

“Teachers are an essential part of a high-quality education and have the biggest impact on a students’ success,” Mr Tehan said. 

“Our Government has instigated a review to cut red tape for teachers so they can focus on teaching and not paperwork. We are also developing a national strategy to address abuse of teachers and school leaders. 

“I’m also working with my state and territory counterparts on a national teacher workforce strategy that will help us understand and respond to existing and future challenges. 

“Our Government will also establish a national institute to build a strong evidence-base to help improve teaching practice and we’re going to make better use of the data we collect to drive improvements in teaching practice, school systems and our policies. 

“We are ensuring new teachers are classroom ready through more rigorous selection requirements for potential teachers, mandatory literacy and numeracy tests for teaching graduates, and final year Teaching Performance Assessments. 

“The Government does not employ teachers, so support from the states and territories and the non-government sector is essential to improve how we support teachers.”