QTU State Budget Submission
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 1, 16 February, page no. 10
Each year in the lead up to the Queensland State Budget, the QTU provides the state government with a comprehensive list of recommendations to improve and enhance the public education system and the work performed by teachers and education leaders across the state.
Given the enormous pressures faced by our members as a result of the teacher shortage, this year’s budget submission provides many recommendations to assist in addressing this problem. It includes such matters as free university placements for those studying to become teachers, paid professional experience (PEx) placements for those working in schools as Permission to Teach (PTT) registered teachers, the return of targeted mentoring and beginning teacher (MBT) funding to flow directly to schools, and reduction of Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) tax debts for each year that teaching graduates teach within the public education system.
The submission also focuses on addressing workload issues via renegotiation of the industrial frameworks that guide planning, moderation, data collection, and capability development, and suggests releasing teachers from the responsibility of playground duties and bus supervision.
The need to invest wisely in professional learning and curriculum support is also highlighted. This includes TRS release to support schools aligning their school programs to version 9 of the Australian Curriculum (V9AC), streamlining digital platforms to reduce duplication and simplify data management, and additional NCT and professional release time to allow for professional collaboration.
The QTU’s budget submission makes recommendations in 11 key areas. These include suggestions that are related to delivering better support to rural, remote, and regional Queensland, better funding for students with special needs, and the support needed for education leaders to manage their ever-increasing workload and complex roles. The submission also highlights the need to support and prioritise First Nations education and the need to provide funding for bespoke programs that support at-risk students to participate in education.
Also outlined is the urgent need for critical investment in infrastructure across the state and key recommendations to support TAFE services. Importantly, many of the key initiatives needed to support the health and safety of employees and students in Queensland’s schools and TAFE settings are a feature of this year’s submission.