❓ Mr Rundle asks about support for teacher wellbeing and mental health, citing stress as a reason for educators considering leaving. The Minister acknowledges the demanding nature of the job and highlights increased education funding, dedicated wellbeing staff, principal responsibilities, and a red-tape review.
AnsweredQoN 654Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOLS —
TEACHER WELLBEING
654. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Education:
I acknowledge Alan and Erica
Andersson in the gallery. They have served the state very well over many years.
I say thank you to them.
I
refer to recent reports, including the Productivity Commission's report
on the National School Reform Agreement.
(1) With 61 per cent
of the educators who responded saying that their reason for considering leaving
was that the job was too stressful, impacting their wellbeing and mental
health, what support does the Department of Education offer to teachers who are
impacted by mental health issues?
(2) Is there an increase in the
number of teachers seeking help for their mental health?
(3) What
resources does the Department of Education provide to support teachers who are
suffering because of their classroom work?
TEACHER WELLBEING
654. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Education:
I acknowledge Alan and Erica
Andersson in the gallery. They have served the state very well over many years.
I say thank you to them.
I
refer to recent reports, including the Productivity Commission's report
on the National School Reform Agreement.
(1) With 61 per cent
of the educators who responded saying that their reason for considering leaving
was that the job was too stressful, impacting their wellbeing and mental
health, what support does the Department of Education offer to teachers who are
impacted by mental health issues?
(2) Is there an increase in the
number of teachers seeking help for their mental health?
(3) What
resources does the Department of Education provide to support teachers who are
suffering because of their classroom work?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
am not so sure about the premise of the last part of the member's
question—that they are suffering because of their classroom work.
Teachers have a very demanding job; that is understood. The Cook government has
provided them support by increasing the budget on education to over $6 billion
for the first time; $6.4 billion now goes to creating a world-class public
education system. That, of course, helps our teachers in the classroom.
For specific support for teachers'
wellbeing, the department has dedicated employees who deal with the wellbeing of its staff. In the independent public
schools system, which was put in place by Hon Peter Collier and continued and improved under the McGowan
and Cook governments, each principal also has responsibility for ensuring that
the wellbeing of their staff is looked after. They are there to provide
leadership and support for their staff.
We continue to monitor the situation
of demand from teachers. That is why I have instigated a red-tape review, which
should be coming to me very shortly. Teachers and principals constantly tell me
that the amount of administrative red tape
they deal with is taking them away from the enjoyment of the profession.
am not so sure about the premise of the last part of the member's
question—that they are suffering because of their classroom work.
Teachers have a very demanding job; that is understood. The Cook government has
provided them support by increasing the budget on education to over $6 billion
for the first time; $6.4 billion now goes to creating a world-class public
education system. That, of course, helps our teachers in the classroom.
For specific support for teachers'
wellbeing, the department has dedicated employees who deal with the wellbeing of its staff. In the independent public
schools system, which was put in place by Hon Peter Collier and continued and improved under the McGowan
and Cook governments, each principal also has responsibility for ensuring that
the wellbeing of their staff is looked after. They are there to provide
leadership and support for their staff.
We continue to monitor the situation
of demand from teachers. That is why I have instigated a red-tape review, which
should be coming to me very shortly. Teachers and principals constantly tell me
that the amount of administrative red tape
they deal with is taking them away from the enjoyment of the profession.
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