NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos wrote to parents, saying he understood the strike was not ideal, but educators were deeply concerned about a shortage of teachers and the impact they were having on students.
“Due to rising student enrolments, an ageing workforce and a significant decrease in the number of people enrolling in teacher education courses the teacher shortages will only get worse,” he said.
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Schools told parents on Friday whether they would be open with supervision because some teachers would still be working, or non-operational because there would not be enough staff available. If schools were open, the COVID-19 cohorting arrangements – dividing students into age-based groups – would not be available.
“The department’s learning from home resources will be available for ongoing curriculum support,” the letter told families of students at schools that would be closed. Only members of the NSW Teachers Federation are protected in the strike action.
A spokesman for the Department of Education said: “we once again urge the Teachers Federation to put students first and to call off their planned strike, which has been ruled unlawful by the Industrial Relations Commission”.
He said teachers had been advised their participation in industrial action would be deemed an “unauthorised absence” and they would not be paid for that day.
“The strike will cause further disruption and inconvenience to students and families at the end of a difficult year due to COVID-19 lockdowns, and only weeks after students returned to the classroom fulltime,” the spokesman said.
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Parents split over support for upcoming teacher strike
Source: Philippines Alive
