Teacher sacked for teaching wrong HSC maths course was given new gig teaching HSC English
A TEACHER who taught his students the wrong HSC maths course last year was quietly given a job at another small school in regional NSW. But the students from that school soon discovered who he was.
NSW
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A TEACHER who taught his students the wrong HSC maths course last year was quietly given a job at another small school in regional NSW.
But Paul Withers lasted only a few days at Lake Cargelligo Central School in the state’s central west before he was forced out by parents who discovered his background.
Last August Mr Withers was sensationally sacked from Coonamble High School weeks before the HSC when students found out they’d been taught the easier General maths 1 course instead of General Maths 2.
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It was his first teaching job after becoming a qualified maths teacher in 2016.
Mr Withers’ subsequent appointment at the 246-student Lake Cargelligo Central School, seven hours inland from Sydney, was heralded with a photo posted in a newsletter in February.
“This year I have the honour of taking a Year 12 Advanced English class,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
But he left the school soon afterwards when students soon recognised him.
Education sources said despite only lasting days at the school, Mr Withers continued to live in the town until eight weeks ago.
The Education Department yesterday said Mr Withers was no longer working in a NSW public school but refused to say whether he was still on the Department’s payroll.
“That teacher is not currently working at any NSW public school,” a spokesman said.
“The department cannot comment on the employment record of any member of staff for privacy reasons.”
Parents said they felt like the Education Department had palmed the problem to another rural NSW school.
“We don’t like to think we’re the bottom of the barrel — as parents, that was difficult,” one mother said.
She said it was only a matter of days before students and parents connected the dots.
“I think we had a vacancy and they were unaware of any issue until he was recognised. I feel for the poor guy, to be honest — it was a department mistake.”
Mr Withers was unable to be reached for comment.