National teacher registration review considers new ways to get tradies and nurses into schools

TRADIES and nurses could be given new pathways into schools to share their skills with children as part of a major review of teacher registration.

TRADIES and nurses could be given new pathways into schools to share their skills with children as part of a major review of teacher registration.

The national review, to be announced today, aims to ensure all teachers across early childhood, school and vocational education are meeting high-quality standards.

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Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said it would also consider ways to improve the registration system to help people “from all walks of life” become teachers.

“Those different life experiences could shake up Australia’s schools and add more depth to the talented teachers we have,” Senator Birmingham said. “Teachers who have been working in other jobs can be a great way for students to learn about life after school and the different options open to them.”

“Having a former tradie or nurse as a teacher can bring more perspective to a classroom and can be especially beneficial for the teaching of vocational and trade skills.”

Education Minister Simon Birmingham. Picture: Jason Sammon

Senator Birmingham said turning tradies into teachers could also help encourage and prepare students to pursue vocational education after they finished high school.

Eight experts have been appointed to spearhead the review, which is being run by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership.

They include McKinnon Secondary College principal Pitsa Binnion and Epping Secondary College assistant principal Marino D’Ortenzio who is the Australian Education Union’s honorary deputy vice president in Victoria.

AITSL chief executive Lisa Rodgers said “great teaching” was what made the biggest difference in the performance of students.

“I am looking forward to the review findings so we can identify any improvements that need to be made to strengthen the teacher registration system and help build teaching quality across Australia,” she said.

Senator Birmingham said Australia had “fantastic teachers” across the education system, and that quality standards would be bolstered by new reforms including tests to ensure teachers have literacy and numeracy skills in the top 30 per cent of the adult population

“There’s inconsistency in our teacher registration systems across the country and we need to understand what’s working and what’s not in key areas to set a bar everyone can work towards,” he said.

“Parents rightly expect teachers have the right skills and training before they step into classrooms.”

The panel is expected to deliver its report later this year.

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