4-day week for teachers: PV media comment

The Age reported today on a suite of reforms to teachers’ working conditions, developed by academics at Monash University and supported by the Australian Education Union. The reforms were developed after interviews with 8,000 teachers, principals and support staff.

According to the article:

The researchers found more funding for schools, better pay for educators, smaller class sizes, curriculum reform and upgrades to the state’s ageing school buildings were needed.
They also said the working conditions of the state’s 52,000 government school teachers needed to be modernised – and a four-day working week should be tried.
The team, led by Professor Fiona Longmuir, found over-work and burnout were key factors leading to most teachers wanting to leave the profession.
Nearly two-thirds of the teachers surveyed said a four-day working week “would support them to better deliver high-quality education”.

Our CEO Gail McHardy is quoted in the article:

Parents Victoria chief executive Gail McHardy said her group would be open to exploring the idea of a four-day week.
“Parents Victoria would support the option to be explored in order to assist and address the ongoing retention and attraction of the school staff workforce to Victorian government schools,” she said.

Read the full article (subscription only)