Mr STIRLING - 1995-10-18
Has the acting minister been briefed as to why the Minister for Education and Training is prepared to insult Territory teachers by supporting the Public Employment Commissioner's contention that the government pays them already for 36_ hours per week when they are required to work only 26 hours and 40 minutes? These are the same teachers who work through their lunch hours doing yard duties, undertake bus duties after school and, in their own time, attend staff meetings regularly as well as subcommittee meetings and school council meetings in the evenings. These are the same teachers who put in enormous hours to accompany students from the regions, enabling them to attend events such as Rock Eisteddfod, sporting carnivals, The Beat etc. These are the same teachers who cannot avail themselves of many clauses in the public sector agreement, including the ability to take leave at times when mainstream public servants can take leave. Does the acting minister know whether the minister is aware of the risk he is running of destroying teachers' goodwill to donate voluntary effort in all these areas? Does he consider that somehow the dispute can be resolved by insulting teachers in this way? Does he believe that he can bully teachers into submission by resorting to insults and petty mindedness?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I listened with interest to the question. It was amazing. Obviously, the question was written for the member to ask. I have probably far greater knowledge of the work that teachers do than the member will ever have. My mother and my father were both teachers. I am aware fully of the hours that teachers put in, marking work in the evenings and providing support in many areas after school hours and at weekends. The platitudes uttered by members opposite are ridiculous. There are members on this side of the House who are former teachers, even principals. They are even more aware of the extra work that teachers perform. Having listened to the member for Nhulunbuy's platitudes, I have to say that he ought to have someone write scripts for him.
I reiterate the point that the Minister for Education and Training made. Teachers are paid for a 36-hour 40-minute week, but face-to-face teaching time is 26 hours and 40 minutes. That is a fact, and there can be no argument about it.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I listened with interest to the question. It was amazing. Obviously, the question was written for the member to ask. I have probably far greater knowledge of the work that teachers do than the member will ever have. My mother and my father were both teachers. I am aware fully of the hours that teachers put in, marking work in the evenings and providing support in many areas after school hours and at weekends. The platitudes uttered by members opposite are ridiculous. There are members on this side of the House who are former teachers, even principals. They are even more aware of the extra work that teachers perform. Having listened to the member for Nhulunbuy's platitudes, I have to say that he ought to have someone write scripts for him.
I reiterate the point that the Minister for Education and Training made. Teachers are paid for a 36-hour 40-minute week, but face-to-face teaching time is 26 hours and 40 minutes. That is a fact, and there can be no argument about it.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016