Education crisis: Qld teachers quitting in record numbers

Alarming figures reveal Queensland teacher resignations have spiked more than 50 per cent since 2020 despite Labor’s pledge to get more educators into the stretched workforce.

Toby Crockford and Stephanie Bennett

2 min read

April 7, 2024 - 5:47AM

The Sunday Mail (Qld)

Education

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Queensland teachers are quitting in record numbers despite the state government’s election pledge to get more educators into the stretched workforce.

Alarming new figures reveal teacher resignations have spiked 54 per cent since 2020, with more than 2600 ditching the profession last year, compared to about 1600 three years prior.

The number of teacher aides quitting is even more stark, with 1142 resignations last year compared to just 637 in 2020.

Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson said there was a staff crisis and it was crucial more was done to retain teachers and school leaders.

She blamed the exodus on a lack of funding for students in need, demanding workloads as well as the stoush over proposed laws related to suspensions, exclusions and home schooling.

“The QTU rejects the proposed changes to School Disciplinary Absences in the Education (General Provisions) Act which will diminish teachers’ and school leaders’ professional autonomy and severely restrict school leaders’ abilities to maintain safe and orderly schools and consequently safe and effective teaching and learning conditions,” she said.

“If the Department of Education is genuine in wanting to achieve equity and excellence, they and the state government must provide more fully funded support for students who need it, whilst addressing the ever-increasing workload demands of teachers and school leaders.”

President of the Queensland Teachers' Union Cresta Richardson with Education and Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer, Sunday, February 18, 2024 - Picture: Richard Walker

Queensland’s literacy and numeracy outcomes are among the lowest in the country, with last year’s budget papers revealing the Education Department had not reached each one of its year 3, 5, 7 and 9 literacy and numeracy targets.

LNP education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan said the resignation figures were a “damning indictment” of Labor.

“Labor’s teacher workforce crisis is impacting literacy and numeracy outcomes across Queensland,” Dr Rowan said. “Combined with a growing student and staff safety crisis within our schools, and Labor’s inability to listen and consult on key educational reforms, it is little wonder why teachers and teacher aides are leaving in their thousands.”

The Department of Education currently employs more than 55,000 teachers and 19,000 teacher aides across 1264 Queensland state schools.

A spokesman for Education Minister Di Farmer said teacher retention rates were about 95 per cent, with recruitment ongoing.

Ms Farmer said there were a number of reasons for resignations, including transition from teacher aide to teacher, moving into Queensland departmental roles, return to study, family commitments, or moving interstate or overseas. “The government remains on track to deliver on its commitment to employ more than 6100 new teachers and 1100 new teacher aides over four years,” she said.