More than 380 schools looking for teachers as term one starts

More than 380 government schools are still searching for staff in what’s been described as a “deeply concerning start to the school year”.

Victorian public schools have begun term 1 with more than 1200 unfilled teaching positions, raising fears some students are starting the year without a permanent teacher.

As of Sunday, more than 380 schools were searching for staff to fill 1269 teacher, principal, support and wellbeing roles.

The number of vacant positions currently advertised has climbed by about 500 since January 23, when the Herald Sun first analysed the number of school staff roles available on the Department of Education’s careers page.

Meanwhile, some campuses have posted just under 750 new job ads in the past week alone, including 369 teaching positions and six assistant principal roles.

The number of vacant positions in government schools has increased since January 23. Picture: iStock

The state’s southwestern region has the most vacancies, with 388 teaching and staff roles available across primary, secondary and specialist government schools.

Manor Lakes P-12 College, at Wyndham Vale, has 17 teaching and support roles available – the highest number of spots advertised at a school in the region.

Aintree Primary School and Melton Specialist School follow closely behind, with 12 positions available at each, including teaching roles in English, humanities and elective subjects.

In southeastern Victoria, Narre Warren South P-12 College has the most vacancies out of all schools statewide, with 19 teaching positions and one teacher’s aide role advertised.

There are fears some Victorian students are starting the year without a permanent teacher. Picture: iStock

Brighton Secondary College and Cranbourne East Secondary College have 14 vacancies each, most of which are teaching roles, while Cranbourne East Primary School has nine positions available.

Meanwhile, Greater Shepparton Secondary School has 22 roles advertised.

Other schools in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the state where teaching and school staff vacancy figures are greater than seven include Chaffey Secondary College in Mildura, Wallan Secondary College and Mernda Central P-12 College.

Opposition education spokes­woman Jess Wilson said the teacher crisis was “worsening by the day”.

“This is a deeply concerning start to the school year and will result in even more students being forced into doubled-up classrooms, without having permanent teachers and having their learning opportunities compromised,” she said.

“The Education Minister must stop focusing on hiding the true state of the crisis and instead ensure every student has a permanent classroom teacher.”

The Herald Sun asked the Education Department wheth­er there were students who had started term 1 without a permanent teacher, but a spokeswoman did not respond directly to the question.

“We recognise some schools are facing greater staffing challenges than others,” she said.

“We’re grateful to the principals and teachers in those schools for all the work they’re doing to support our students, and we’re working closely with any school requiring more support to fill positions.”