❓ The WA parliamentary question addresses classroom management in state primary schools when teachers are absent, focusing on staffing policies, financial resources for relief teachers, and the role of non-teaching staff. The answer clarifies the government's policy and practices regarding teacher absences and the use of alternative staffing arrangements.
AnsweredQoN 8222Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to classroom management in state primary schools:
(a) what is the State Government's policy regarding personnel being in charge of classrooms whenever a teacher is away on sick leave, at professional development or on release time for:
(i) independent; and
(ii) non-independent primary schools;
(b) does the State Government provide government schools with the financial resources to appoint qualified teachers to step in to relieve teachers on leave; and
(i) if yes, what is that allocation; and
(ii) if not, why not; and
(c) in relation to non-teaching staff taking over duty-of-care or management of classrooms when teachers are on leave, at professional development or on release time, what is the State Government's:
(i) policy; and
(ii) practice?
(a) what is the State Government's policy regarding personnel being in charge of classrooms whenever a teacher is away on sick leave, at professional development or on release time for:
(i) independent; and
(ii) non-independent primary schools;
(b) does the State Government provide government schools with the financial resources to appoint qualified teachers to step in to relieve teachers on leave; and
(i) if yes, what is that allocation; and
(ii) if not, why not; and
(c) in relation to non-teaching staff taking over duty-of-care or management of classrooms when teachers are on leave, at professional development or on release time, what is the State Government's:
(i) policy; and
(ii) practice?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 August 2012
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
55 days
(a)(i - ii) When a teacher is absent and a local relief teacher is not available, schools are able to ask other teachers in the school who are on Duties Other Than Teaching (DOTT) time to take the class, and they are renumerated in accordance with the internal relief rate. On such occasions, the Department of Education's
Duty of Care
policy applies.
(b) Yes
(b)(i) When a teacher is on leave, schools are not limited in their employment of relief teachers. This allocation is managed centrally. In the case of some Independent Public Schools that have opted to manage their own relief, an allocation is made into their one-line budget. A funding "safety net" is available to these schools in exceptional circumstances.
When a teacher attends professional development or similar, schools utilise a range of funds, including their school grant and special purpose payments. Schools determine attendance at professional development or release time within their school's budget.
(b)(ii) Not applicable, see response (i).
(c)(i) Refer to response (a)(i)-(ii).
(c)(ii) Whilst it is ideal to have a qualified relief teacher to cover teacher absences in every class during a school day, this is not always possible. In exceptional circumstances, schools are able to make other arrangements for the learning program of the class to continue.
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Duty of Care
policy applies.
(b) Yes
(b)(i) When a teacher is on leave, schools are not limited in their employment of relief teachers. This allocation is managed centrally. In the case of some Independent Public Schools that have opted to manage their own relief, an allocation is made into their one-line budget. A funding "safety net" is available to these schools in exceptional circumstances.
When a teacher attends professional development or similar, schools utilise a range of funds, including their school grant and special purpose payments. Schools determine attendance at professional development or release time within their school's budget.
(b)(ii) Not applicable, see response (i).
(c)(i) Refer to response (a)(i)-(ii).
(c)(ii) Whilst it is ideal to have a qualified relief teacher to cover teacher absences in every class during a school day, this is not always possible. In exceptional circumstances, schools are able to make other arrangements for the learning program of the class to continue.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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