Strathfield by-election: A new poll has revealed voter concerns about teacher shortages

On the eve of the Strathfield by-election a new poll has revealed concerns about the teacher shortage in the electorate and union leaders have called again on the government to find a solution.

Concerns over a teacher shortage will be at the front of inner west voters’ minds when they head to the polls tomorrow for the Strathfield by-election, new research has revealed.

The poll, conducted by uComms on behalf of the NSW Teachers Federation, surveyed 604 residents across the electorate in late January and education stood out as a hot-button issue.

Strathfield is one of four by-elections being held this weekend with voters forced back to the polls after the resignation of former opposition leader Jodie McKay. The seats of Bega, Monaro and Willoughby are also up for grabs.

Of those surveyed, 72.3% said they considered the future funding of local public schools and TAFE to be important/very important, while 81.2% maintained it was important/very important that there was a comprehensive plan to address the teacher shortage and its causes.

NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said the poll gives the clearest indication yet that Strathfield voters are disillusioned with the Government’s approach to education.

Students at Strathfield station on their way to school. Picture: Dean Lewins

“The by-election on February 12 is an important opportunity for Strathfield voters to send a powerful message to the Perrottet Government,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

“And that message is: ‘You do not deserve our vote’.”

Thousands of teachers took to the streets in December, striking for the first time in nearly a decade, over the entwined, two-pronged issue of stagnant wages and staff shortages.

“This Government has consistently refused to act on unsustainable workloads and teacher shortages,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

As at December there were more than 3000 vacant permanent teaching positions in the state, and figures from the Department of Education show there were 15 vacant permanent teaching positions in the Strathfield electorate last October.

A school bus in Strathfield; voters in the area are worried about teacher shortages. Picture: John Grainger

Henry Rajendra, deputy president at the Federation, said the shortages were having a significant impact on students.

“For a very long time now the worsening teacher shortages across the state are impacting greatly on the learning conditions of our students,” he said.

Uncompetitive salaries and unsustainable workloads were the cause of the shortages in both Strathfield and across the state, Mr Rajendra explained.

“This is a significant issue for the voters in Strathfield, and it highlights that the government has failed in ensuring that our schools are staffed,” he said.

Teachers march on Macquarie Street on December 07 2021. Thousands of teachers took part in a 24-hour strike to protest pay and staff shortages. Picture: James D. Morgan

“We regrettably predict that the shortages will only worsen – we are in no position to attract the teachers that we need to fill the vacancies now, and we expect vacancies to grow in the future.”

Over the next 20 years there is expected to be around a 25% increase in student enrolment, with the bulk of that being in metropolitan Sydney, such as places like Strathfield.

With voters heading to the polls tomorrow, for many parents in the electorate education has always been a factor in deciding which way to vote. The latest polling indicates that it‘s more important than ever to those wanting a good education for their children.

“Nobody should be in any doubt how serious this is for our children and teachers and the future quality of education in NSW,” Mr Gavrielatos said.