Unvaccinated teachers to return to NSW schools

The majority of unvaccinated teachers in NSW can expect to be allowed back into classrooms as schools battle chronic staff shortages.

The NSW Teachers Federation is asking for a pay rise of 5 per cent a year with 2.5 per cent to recognise extra experience with enterprise agreement negotiations now at a halt. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The majority of unvaccinated teachers in NSW can expect to be allowed back into classrooms next month as schools battle chronic staff shortages.

The new development comes nine months after schools returned to face-to-face learning, where unvaccinated staff were banned from school grounds but many still paid their full salary without having to work.

The proposal follows an independent review commissioned by the Department of Education, determined the safety and wellbeing of staff and students “would not be compromised”.

It comes as unvaccinated educators in Victoria will be permitted to return to schools next week, with a vaccine mandate expiring midnight Friday.

Georgina Harrisson, NSW Department of Education Secretary, said the proposed policy would allow almost 1000 casual staff to return to school sites from July 18, and teachers who were terminated following mandates could apply for new roles.

“Like all employers right now we face unprecedented numbers of staff calling in sick due to Covid-19 and the flu,” she said.

NSW schools have seen a 51 per cent increase in teacher sick days from January 1 to June 20, compared to the same pre-pandemic period in 2019, with 430,351 teachers calling in sick.

“This shows the impact that Covid and major winter illnesses are having on teacher sick leave,” Ms Harrisson said.

“We will continue to support our staff to stay healthy through vaccine leave, free, office-based flu vaccinations and allow staff to claim back the cost of vaccinations where they cannot access it through work.”

Staff who work in Schools for Specific Purposes or support units and classes, as well as Assisted Travel Support Officers and drivers will be required to have a third dose of a vaccine.

On Friday, one NSW public school had five classes that could not be covered by casual teachers with students split to other classes.

Earlier this month, premier Dominic Perrottet called for unvaccinated teachers to be allowed back to work after it was revealed unvaccinated teachers were being forced to stay at home while on their full salary.

On Thursday NSW public and Catholic school teachers will strike for the third time in six months after the NSW budget announced a 3 per cent increase to the public wage cap.

The NSW Teachers Federation is asking for a pay rise of 5 per cent a year with 2.5 per cent to recognise extra experience with enterprise agreement negotiations now at a halt.

Teachers are also calling for two more hours of planning time a week.

When contacted, a representative for Angelo Gavrielatos, president of the NSW Teachers Federation, said he did not wish to comment.

One teacher, who asked not to be named, said teachers are “overworked, tired and burnt out”.

“We certainly don’t just want more money, we’re looking for fair working conditions and we need more staff,” the primary school teacher said. “We shouldn’t have to spend our weekends planning and marking.

“Ultimately we are striking for our kids’ future, they deserve better.”