Teachers Federation members at Mullumbimby High School have walked off the job to take a stand against staffing issues

The union says some key positions at the school have been vacant “despite having been advertised for two years”.

Teachers walked off the job at Mullumbimby High School to voice concerns over staffing issues. Picture: istock

Mullumbimby High School teachers walked off the job on Thursday to voice concerns over staffing issues.

NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra said members did this in response to what they claim is a lack of action from the NSW Government to properly staff public schools.

“Teachers at Mullumbimby High School have been doing their best to deliver teaching and learning programs, but several head teacher and classroom teacher positions remain unfilled despite having been advertised for two years,” Mr Rajendra said.

“In addition, a school counsellor position remains unfilled which is of concern as it has resulted in insufficient specialist support for emotionally and behaviourally challenged students.

“Our members understand that the cause of the disruption at their school is the NSW Government’s failure to appoint sufficient staff and the statewide shortage of casual teachers.

“The shortage of teachers at the school has resulted in additional workload for staff who are being forced to work under enormous stress.”

Mr Rajendra said the Gallop Inquiry, which looked into the work of teachers, found uncompetitive salaries and unsustainable workloads had contributed to a teacher shortage.

“The workloads of teachers have increased every year, but their salaries have fallen every year compared to other professions,” he said.

“You can’t fix the shortages without fixing the wages and workload problem.

“If we don’t pay teachers what they are worth, we won’t get the teachers we need.”