Teachers to quit funding trial

TEACHERS at five schools taking part in the state government's program to devolve power to principals have voted to withdraw from the trial.

By InvestSMART · 8 Apr 2012

By InvestSMART ·
8 Apr 2012

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TEACHERS at five schools taking part in the state government's program to devolve power to principals have voted to withdraw from the trial.

They say Local Schools, Local Decisions will reduce permanent positions, increase casualisation of the teaching workforce and reduce promotional opportunities.

Staff at schools including Hurstville Boys, Peakhurst Girls and Kyogle High School on the north coast have revolted against devolution. Kyogle has already asked to withdraw as a consequence.

Principals at the four schools that make up Georges River College are under pressure from staff who have voted overwhelmingly during the past fortnight to leave the trial.

Georges River College took part in a two-year, state government-based devolution trial and is in the federal government's Empowering Local Schools pilot program in which extra funding was provided.

The NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, has refused to guarantee that school budgets would not be cut in future.

The Sun-Herald last week revealed a groundswell of concern among principals that the program, which puts them in control of 70 per cent of the school budget, is a smokescreen for cost-cutting.

In New York, schools have lost 13.7 per cent in funding since its system was devolved in 2007, while Victoria spends less per child on education since handing budgets over to principals.

A teacher at Georges River College's Oatley campus, Murray Blundell, said: "Anywhere in the world they have introduced systems like this it has been the first step to reducing government expenditure on education."

He said teachers feared the 20,000 NSW teachers due for retirement by 2015 would be replaced by casuals. About 70 per cent of TAFE teachers are already casual.

A spokesman for Mr Piccoli rejected the suggestion, saying the teachers' union was running a scare campaign.

"A state-wide staffing system will be retained. Teachers will continue to have tenure when they are appointed to a permanent position," he said. "Should a vacancy occur in a school, then the school will determine the mix of permanent and temporary staff within their resources to meet local needs."

The president of the NSW Teachers Federation, Maurie Mulheron, said schools such as Kyogle and Georges River College were "by no means isolated".

"There are discussions going on among teachers right across NSW," he said. "They are saying this is not on. They see it's about reducing permanent positions, staff numbers and opportunities for promotion."

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What is the Local Schools, Local Decisions trial and why are teachers withdrawing?

The Local Schools, Local Decisions trial is a NSW government program aimed at giving principals control over 70% of school budgets. Teachers are withdrawing because they believe it reduces permanent teaching positions, increases casualisation, and limits promotional opportunities, sparking concerns over job security and education quality.

How could the devolution of school budgets affect permanent and casual teaching positions?

Teachers fear that devolving budgets to principals will lead to fewer permanent roles and more casual staff hires. This pattern mirrors trends in places like New York and Victoria, where similar systems have resulted in budget cuts and a rise in casual teaching, undermining long-term job stability.

Which NSW schools have decided to quit the devolution funding trial?

Staff at five schools including Hurstville Boys, Peakhurst Girls, Kyogle High School, and the campuses of Georges River College have voted overwhelmingly to leave the trial. Kyogle High has already formally requested to withdraw due to concerns about the trial's impact.

Is there a risk of school budgets being cut under this trial?

Yes. NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has not guaranteed that school budgets will remain unchanged, and some principals suspect the program could be a smokescreen for cost-cutting measures, echoing experiences in other regions where devolved funding has led to reduced financial support.

What are the main concerns teachers have about the trial's impact on their career progression?

Teachers worry the trial will shrink promotional opportunities and staff numbers by allowing principals to decide budget spending, potentially favoring casual hires over permanent staff, which limits teachers’ career growth and undermines job security.

How has the NSW government responded to the concerns about casualisation and job security?

A spokesman for Minister Piccoli states the union’s claims are scare tactics, assuring that a statewide staffing system will be maintained and teachers appointed to permanent roles will keep tenure. Staffing mixes will be decided locally, depending on vacancies and resources.

What insights do teachers from Georges River College share about similar devolution programs worldwide?

Teacher Murray Blundell from Georges River College highlighted that globally, devolution programs usually mark the start of reduced government spending on education. He warned that many NSW teachers nearing retirement could be replaced by casual staff, a trend already evident in TAFE where 70% of teachers are casual.

Are other schools across NSW also concerned about the Local Schools, Local Decisions trial?

Absolutely. The NSW Teachers Federation president Maurie Mulheron confirms that discussions are happening statewide with many teachers expressing that the program threatens permanent positions, staff numbers, and promotion opportunities, indicating the opposition is far from isolated.