State government accused of falling short on promised number of teachers

The state government has been accused of falling short of their election promise to hire more than 6100 new teachers over four years. But the Education Minister says the recruitment drive was on track.

The state government has been accused of falling short of their election promise to hire more than 6100 new teachers over four years, with a Queensland public service report showing there were just an extra 388 teachers in schools since 2020.

But Education Minister Grace Grace has firmly disputed the accusation, saying 2986 new teachers and 1152 teacher aides have been hired in the past year and a half.

“At the last election we made a commitment to employ 6190 new teachers and 1139 new teacher aides over the next four years. We are on track to meet that commitment,” she said.

The government figures also include hiring teachers to replace other teachers who have resigned or retired, rather than solely a net increase of new positions.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace answers questions during an Education, Employment and Training Committee estimates hearing at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

In a robust exchange during a budget estimates hearing on Thursday, LNP education spokesman Christian Rowan asked Ms Grace about the figures, and accused the government of failing to be on target to meet its election promise.

Mr Rowan referred to the March 2022 Public Service Workforce report, which showed in comparison to March 2020, there were 388 additional teachers and teacher aides.

“You’re talking about net figures, not the turnover … its not a static figure,” Ms Grace said.

She also said there was a “very difficult (jobs) market” at the moment, with multiple industries struggling with workforce shortages.

Director general Michael De’Ath echoed the Minister’s comments, noting there were particular challenges with workforce supply in regional and rural communities, but said the department was “very pleased” with the level of recruitment.

Dr Rowan claimed the government “hasn’t come close to meeting its target on extra teachers, and student outcomes are suffering”.

But Ms Grace said the state’s Queensland’s teacher to student ratio was sitting at 13.5 students per teacher, “which is lower than it was under the LNP and their policy of sacking teachers and closing schools”.