Victorian teachers upset over ‘dodgy’ approach to cut in class time

Victorian teachers have been given an hour less of teaching time each week – but several schools are making them take it three minutes at a time.

Teachers granted an hour less of face-to-face teaching a week are being given the time in three-minute blocks at some schools.

Victorian teachers granted an hour less of teaching a week are being given the time in three-minute blocks at some schools as staff shortages continue to bite.

The reduction in face-to-face teaching – the first granted in 30 years – was a hard-fought industrial win for educators across the state.

The Herald Sun has seen complaints by teachers who say their schools have shortened lessons by three minutes a session to give them the time off.

Teachers have described the “dodgy implementations” of the reduction in teaching time as “not fair”.

Teachers won a cut to face-to-face hours early last year.

“My school has shaved off three minutes from each class calling it a transition time,” one said.

“So the number of periods are the same as previous years, but the time between classes is now our own time.”

Another teacher said the ‘shaving’ method was “ridiculous”.

“Staffing shortages due to poor conditions and crap pay shouldn’t be our problem,” they said.

“Teacher’s workload extended far beyond just an hour.”

The move comes as principals from schools in Melbourne’s southeast expressed ongoing concerns about teacher shortages this week.

Alkira Secondary College sent an email to parents earlier this week on Monday saying the school was eight teachers short.

The Herald Sun also understands Berwick Secondary College had up to 14 teaching vacancies at the end of term 4 last year.

Berwick Lodge principal Henry Grossek said his school has to advertise vacancies “several” months prior due to the teacher shortages.

Berwick Lodge principal Henry Grossek says teacher shortages are a key concern.

“It’s a real concern for us because I don’t know if I’m going to be able to fill those forthcoming positions, we’re all competing for a very small number of teachers,” Mr Grossek said.

“I’ve spoken to colleagues and principals all over the state and they are all very stressed about how they’re going to replace teachers who are going on long service leave or family leave.”

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch President Meredith Peace said teachers should be given blocks of time no shorter than thirty minutes.

“The Victorian Education Department’s Management of Teacher Work Guide clearly states that time for preparation and planning should be allocated in usable blocks of time, i.e. no less than thirty minutes,” Ms Peace said.

“The AEU will continue to advise AEU principals and teachers across Victorian public schools to adhere to the guidelines.”

Alkira Secondary Principal John Shaw said since the communication with parents, the school had hired a new staff member and classes this term will go ahead as normal.

“No classes have been cancelled and we have a teacher in front of every class. One technology lesson was amended as a result of not having a suitably qualified teacher,” Mr Shaw said.

A Department of Education spokesman said: “The overwhelming majority of government schools are fully staffed for the start of the school year and school programs are continuing as normal.”

“The Victorian Government’s recent successful recruiting campaign has resulted in 5000 more teachers being registered in Victoria at the end of 2022 compared to 2020,” he said.