Teacher shortages forcing schools to scrap kids’ camps

Widespread teacher shortages are forcing schools to cancel or scale back camps as principals say the demands are “impractical”. Now there are fears more students will miss out on the crucial rite of passage.

School camps are being cancelled or scaled back due to widespread teacher shortages, with fears more students will miss out on the crucial rite of passage.

Camps are becoming increasingly difficult to facilitate due to the state government’s recent schools agreement that requires teachers be given time in lieu for the extra hours worked while away on a trip.

Several teachers say the demands of school camps during the teacher shortage crisis was “impractical” and “stressful”.

“It’s been really hard for us to take our owed time in lieu after attending a school camp,” one primary school teacher said. “Between time in lieu regulations and the shortages, it’s really impractical to facilitate these camps and that’s why more are being cancelled or reduced. The cost factors for teachers on the camp and those to cover their time in lieu when they are back is also making the situation worse.”

The Herald Sun has been told Yarra Glen Primary School has been forced to reduce its camps to every second year.

Yarra Glen Primary School has been forced to cut its camps to every second year, while Vermont Secondary College’s year 12 two-day residential camp was cancelled for 2024.

Doncaster Gardens Primary School is understood to have shortened its year six school camp from five days to three.

More than 100 parents have complained in an online forum about other school camp cancellations, with one grade three mum blaming “a lack of teachers able and willing to go”.

Australian Camps Association chief Peter McDougall said time off in lieu was having a significant negative impact on camps. “ACA appreciates the support from the Victorian government to-date, but more support is required to ensure the sustainability of the 201 camps in Victoria,” Mr McDougall said. “The camp sector in Victoria provides a significant economic benefit to regional communities, employing local people, and if TOIL continues to impact schools accessing camps, it will also compromise the job availability and financial contribution by camps to these regional areas.”

Several teachers have told the Herald Sun the demands of school camps during the teacher shortage crisis was ‘impractical’ and ‘stressful’.

Another educator said their camps for years three and four had been reduced to one night.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they end up completely cancelling them for the younger grades,” he said.

“It’s a very stressful situation for teachers because we are struggling so much with teacher shortages.”

The state government was last year ordered by the Fair Work Commission to pay teachers and support staff about $200 extra for each night they were away on a school camp, costing $131m. Under the changes, school staff on camps are also now regarded as being on call for eight hours each night while away and required to log that as time in lieu.

An Education Department spokeswoman said the new arrangements enabled schools to “plan their camping program with clarity and confidence”.

Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson said: “School camps are critical for students’ development, provide vital learning opportunities outside of the classroom and shouldn’t be sacrificed because Labor cannot manage money.”