My thoughts on Australian Education – but maybe applicable elsewhere

January 24 2024 was UNESCO’s ‘International Education Day’.

It is also the day after some 215 teachers and principals completed their orientation to teaching in the NT before heading to appointments in city, town, community and remote settings.

Sadly, a shortfall of 134 teachers remains, partially offset by the re-deployment of 80 registered teachers working in school support areas. Their re-assignment and a relief teacher pool may lessen classroom teacher vacancies. However, that will considerably weaken the student support services section – and for how long no one knows.

I taught in the Territory from mid-1975 until retiring in January 2012. During those years, there was always a constant challenge of ensuring the retention of good, practical, student-learning-focused teachers in all situations. That priority became ever more critical with the passing of years, for teaching became a ‘turn-off’ profession.

Sadly, the situation has only worsened in the years following my retirement. There was once a joy in teaching, but that satisfaction for many has become elusive. Student Teaching, instead, has been replaced by accountability and responsibility requirements. Teachers are evaluated on how well they meet the system’s data-driven demands.

That expectation is coupled with demands that teachers accept challenging, disruptive and non-compliant student behaviours in increasing situations. It is no wonder that many who enter the profession with richly positive intentions find that reality sours their ambitions. Teachers are quitting their careers in large numbers, and I can’t see that changing soon.