Merewether High teachers walk off job over staffing shortage

Federation deputy president Henry Rajendra said staff took action because the state government was not properly staffing schools across the state.

"Merewether High School is having difficulty securing casuals to cover classes for colleagues on leave, which is causing disruption to teaching and learning programs," Mr Rajendra said.

"Staff are extremely concerned about the additional workload they are faced with because of staffing inadequacies at their school.

"Our members are also concerned about the shortage of school counsellors, which is impacting on the level of care and support students at Merewether High require."

On this issue: Teachers walk off the job at Hunter School of Performing

Federation Newcastle organiser Jack Galvin Waight said around 50 staff walked out around 10am for about 20 minutes, "with little to no disruption to students".

"Teachers are giving up their pay to improve student outcomes and safeguard the profession."

Mr Galvin Waight said around 30 Maitland Grossmann High School staff also walked out on Thursday afternoon.

"If there are staffing shortages in Merewether and Maitland, then the system is broken."

Mr Rajendra said the Gallop Inquiry into the work of teachers earlier this year found uncompetitive salaries for teachers and unsustainable workloads were leading to teacher shortages.

"The workloads of teachers have increased every year, but their salaries have fallen every year compared to other professions," he said.

"You can't fix the shortages without fixing the wages and workload problem."

"If we don't pay teachers what they are worth, we won't get the teachers we need."

Staff have walked out across NSW - including at Hunter School of the Performing Arts, Maitland Public School and Newcastle Senior School - in recent weeks.

Mr Rajendra said classes were being split and teaching and learning programs disrupted at Maitland when casual teachers are unavailable.

He said there have been more than 20 unfilled teacher absences at Newcastle Senior School this year.

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