1800 teaching jobs in limbo

1800 teaching jobs in limbo

By Melanie Sjoberg

ADELAIDE — Secrecy and denial surround the claim that the state Liberal government is planning to cut 1800 jobs in education. This would break a pre-election promise that there would be no cuts to education and that a $240 million school-building program would be implemented.

South Australia Institute of Teachers (SAIT) president Clare McCarty says that secrecy is fuelling teachers' fears.

"In the Legislative Council, the education minister, Mr Lucas, stated negotiations were not under way to cut teacher numbers. This is certainly true — the minister is refusing to negotiate anything until after the audit commission recommendations are presented.

"However, the Department of Education and Children's Services has mentioned the possibility of shedding 1800 permanent teachers as part of recent discussions about teacher placement and mobility. The state treasurer, Mr Baker, says the government has a responsibility to shed 3950 public service jobs before June 30."

It has also been revealed that proposals are being developed for teachers to take a "year off" as part of the reorganisation, and for the scrapping of a policy which enables country teachers to return to the city after four years.

From GLW issue 139