Parents, teachers divided over calls for permanent changes to NSW public school hours

A plan to permanently allow NSW public schools to extend its operating hours has been shot down by the state government – despite one MP labelling the current 9am-3pm model a relic of a “sexist, bygone” era.

Matraville mum Kalliope Polyronis has supported the extended school hour model. Picture: Toby Zerna

A plan to permanently allow NSW public schools to extend its operating hours has been shot down by the state government – despite one MP labelling the current 9am-3pm model a relic of a “sexist, bygone” era.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car has ruled out making a trial of flexible school hours a permanent fixture in NSW schools due to concerns over potential impacts on overstretched teaching staff.

The trial of extended school hours was rolled out at 14 public schools last year in a move to modernise the school day and better cater for busy families.

The model did not involve a change to core teaching hours, however allowed schools to partner with community organisations, businesses and sporting clubs to offer activities for children at school outside 9am and 3pm.

Announcing the trial last year, former NSW Education Sarah Mitchell said allowing optional extra-curricular activities outside school hours “provided greater flexibility for working parents.”

NSW Education Minister Prue Car.

But current Education Minister Ms Car has now confirmed there were “no plans to expand or make the arrangements permanent”.

“The government does not support the Liberal Party’s proposal to force teachers to stay at schools late into the evening,” she said in a statement.

Ryde MP Jordan Lane has advocated for extended school hours.

Ryde Liberal MP Jordan Lane – an advocate of extended school hours – said the trial was not intended to force teachers to stay late at campus, but to allow schools to host after school activities to reduce the burden on working families.

Mr Lane – who labelled the current hours a “relic of a sexist, bygone era” – said programs after the 3pm pick-up could range from arts classes to sport or coding lessons.

“The school system was built back in the 1950s and we’re now living in the 2020s and that 3pm pick-up can be difficult for a lot of working parents who may have to leave work early or fork out for what can be very expensive childcare arrangements,” he said.

Kalliope Polyronis – a parent of Matraville Soldier’s Settlement Public School which took part in the trial – said it was “disappointing” the government was not extending the program.

Matraville mum Kalliope Polyronis has benefited from the trial. Picture: Toby Zerna

“It did help us and it was useful because it exposed my girls to things they haven’t done before – they did chess club, story time, drama and coding,” she said.

“I’m a working mum so it also allowed me to work that little bit later in the afternoon before having to pick them up.”

Henry Rajendra – the deputy president of the NSW Teachers Federation – was critical of the trial with fears it could ultimately result in teachers overseeing activities late into the evening.

“Teachers already put in an incredible amount of extra work and are having to take work home and work on weekends just to make sure they’re on top of the excessive demands,” he said. “If they’re staying late, that’s taking more time away from their family time.”

Henry Rajendra.

“The pilot of extended school hours was just a distraction from what should’ve been the focus of the government and that was to address shortages and unmanageable workloads.”

Some NSW schools have already moved to amend their teaching hours including Merrylands East Public School in Sydney’s west which has changed its school hours to 8am to 1:15pm.

Schools that participated in the trial included Hastings Secondary College, Matraville Soldier’s Settlement Public School, Orange High School and Tacking Point Public School.

A Department of Education spokesman declined to provide details about why the trial would not be extended.

In a statement he said: “We have been working with participating schools to ensure they can continue to support our students and families for the remainder of 2023.”