Retired Central Coast teacher speaks out on lack of discipline and underqualified staff in schools

A RETIRED Central Coast teacher has spoken out about a lack of student discipline and underqualified teachers creating a “crisis” situation in schools.

Retired teacher John Smyth speaks out against the poor performance of students and teachers in schools.

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RETIRED Central Coast teacher John Smyth fears the country will continue to fall behind in maths and science­ if nothing is done to improve education and teaching standards in Australian schools.

Just as thousands of students head back to the classroom for a new school year, the former Gosford High School educator reignited debate around the decline in student and teacher performance.

An international report late last year revealed countries such as the US, England­, Ireland, and Kazakhstan were now outperforming Australia in Year 4 and Year 8 level maths and science subjects.

With almost five decades of teaching experience under his belt, the 77-year-old grandfather believed a lack of student discipline and low remuneration for teachers was creating a “crisis” situation in schools.

The performance of Australian students is falling behind when it comes to international standards.

“In order to attract our brightest HSC students into maths and science teaching we need to offer higher pay rates,” Mr Smyth said.

“The other big issue is kids are just falling by the wayside because teachers are having to spend so much time disciplining students.

“Just ask the many teachers who go on exchange, in order to teach in overseas locations such as Singapore.

“Students actually respect the teacher, listen to what is being taught and strive hard to achieve success. Compare this with our classrooms, where teachers have to contend with endless interruptions and lack of respect.”

Maths needs to be more engaging and interesting, and not so mundane and clinical. Pic: Source: iStock / Getty Images

Mr Smyth said poor training and staff shortages also led to educators teaching subjects they did not fully understand or specialise in.

“While I was casual teaching I was asked to give a demonstration lesson to a Year 11 maths class at a local high school,” the Ourimbah­ resident said.

“Their regular teacher was trained in physical education and she was a long way out of her depth in maths. She had no training whatsoever in the teaching of mathematics. Too much time is demanded of teachers to evaluate their teaching and to write copious comments on student progress­.

“Classroom teaching and improved results should be the number one priority.”

Central Coast P & C spokeswoman Sharryn Brownlee says the maths curriculum needs to be more engaging and relevant for the younger generation.

Mr Smyth’s comments come as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday highlighting education as a government priority for the year ahead.

Mr Turnbull revealed exam results were going backwards despite a near 50 per cent increase in Federal funding over the past decade­.

The Federal Government is considering introducing mandatory testing for Year One students to help identify children falling behind in basic maths and literacy skills.

PARENT CONCERNS ADD UP

Central Coast P & C spokeswoman Sharryn Brownlee said one of the biggest concerns from Coast parents was around the maths curriculum and numeracy teaching standards.

“I’m so tired of parents telling me, ‘My child’s at high school, they’ve got a really nice teacher, but they haven’t got any training in science or maths’,” Ms Brownlee said.

“Teachers teaching out of subject area to cover maths and science shortfalls is the biggest issue around curriculum and teaching in high schools that I hear about.”

Happy, inspired and engaged students equals better performance and results, according to Ms Brownlee.

The former Central Coast P & C president said vital maths and science careers like engineering and medical research could be affected if nothing was done to re-engage students and teachers.

“The curriculum itself and how maths is taught is very much the way it was taught 50 years ago,” Ms Brownlee said.

“Something needs to be done to make maths engaging and interesting, and not so mundane and clinical.

“If this continues we will also see more people getting themselves into financial difficulty.

“You only have to look at the rise in gambling and credit card debt.

“We’re hearing a lot from counselling and support organisations like the Salvation Army where many of the problems they’re seeing around drinking, gambling and marital problems is to do with lack of education and understanding around money management.”