Teachers

Good teachers are the number one factor for excellence in student achievement but next comes high-quality leadership. Governments must do more to recruit and train the best people to run schools, according to a new OECD publication.

The newest generations of teachers, like their students, have always connected digitally. As tech-savvy learners and communicators, they look online for inspiration and support. In the not-so-distant future, educators will seek and find personal and professional support through online portals where mentors will offer time, energy, and advice to their less seasoned colleagues.

RMIT University is using new technology to give academics and students more time for face-to-face, interactive learning.

Under stage one of RMIT’s E-learning Advancement Program (REAP), all Australia-based programs became available to students through the Blackboard online system.

Big business has called for the top rate of pay for teachers to be almost doubled under a national system of accreditation to raise the status of the profession.

The Business Council of Australia also supports setting a minimum university entry score of 75 for teaching courses and is considering establishing a scholarship scheme to encourage the brightest students to become teachers.

A severe shortage of casual teachers means almost two-thirds of NSW schools cannot find one when they need one, teachers say.

A survey of NSW Teachers Federation members found that more than 60 per cent of 1800 respondents said their schools were not always able to fill casual vacancies.