International recruitment experts to review WA teacher recruitment strategies

29/01/07
Education Minister Mark McGowan has directed the Department of Education and Training (DET) to undertake a review of teacher recruitment practices, following the release of figures showing a significant shortfall of teaching staff in Government schools.
Mr McGowan said the DET would engage an international human resources planning firm to undertake the review and advise the government on how to improve its teacher recruitment practices.
He said urgent action was being taken by the department to call in relief and specialist teachers to ensure every class was supervised.
"Just two days before the start of the 2007 school year, we have 200 full-time and 64 part-time vacancies in our State school system," the Minister said.
"Country areas account for around 65 per cent of the vacancies, but we have problems filling positions throughout the State.
"There were 1,500 applicants for teaching posts, of which only one third accepted the offer made to them.
"We have a team of about 50 staff working on filling vacancies and since Thursday they have made 192 new appointments. By the time school starts, it is anticipated that the number of vacancies will have dropped further.
"While the most likely cause is a booming economy and a wide range of employment choices for graduates and existing teachers, I want to make sure that our recruitment strategies are competitive."
Mr McGowan said the review would start immediately to determine why applicants were not accepting positions and whether different practices were needed.
He said he would also write to the Commonwealth Government proposing HECS relief for every year of country service by graduate teachers.
"A HECS holiday would offer an additional incentive to young graduates to take up hard to fill country postings," the Minister said.
"Western Australia's economic boom is fuelling massive growth in Commonwealth income and company tax revenue and a 'HECS holiday' for teachers would be a drop in the bucket to the Federal Government."
Mr McGowan said the State Government had recruited 30 teachers from the United Kingdom and Ireland to bolster the teaching workforce.
"These teachers have been placed in areas such as Karratha, Carnarvon and Collie," he said.
People wanting to teach in public schools should call (08) 9264 5880 or (08) 9264 5566.
Minister's office - 9222 9111