Several New England Schools will receive additional supports to engage with quality teachers and address the teacher shortage crisis.
This NSW Government program aims to helping schools recruit teachers in hard-to-staff areas to expand by 40 per cent and ensuring free, quality public education is provided to every student in NSW.
The Priority Recruitment Support program gives intensive recruitment assistance to schools with significant teacher staffing challenges.
The following school in our region have made the list:
– Glen Innes High School
– Macintyre High School
– Oxley High School
– Uralla Central School
With the new additions, including the four from the New England, the total number of schools receiving intensive support to 111.
“The expansion of the Priority Recruitment Support program is one part of the Rural and Remote Education Implementation Plan that supports teachers wanting to teach outside major metropolitan areas.” said Executive Director, Regional Rural and Remote Implementation, Dean White.
“Combined with our other supports, these initiatives are giving teachers even more reason to experience the satisfaction and rewards that come with teaching in communities outside the major centres.”
Long-standing vacancies at these schools can now be advertised with a recruitment bonus of up to $20,000, and a relocation support package of up to $8,000 for eligible teachers.
While the teacher shortage has impacted schools across the board, the impact has been most significant in rural, regional and remote areas and parts of Sydney’s west and south-west.
The expansion of this program is one part of the Rural and Remote Education Implementation Plan that supports teachers wanting to teach outside major metropolitan areas.
Further to the recruitment support, the NSW Government is also offering tailored housing support to teachers in regional areas, cutting red tape for applicants and addressing maintenance issues faster.
Other incentives to work in NSW rural and remote schools include:
- 50 to 90 per cent Rental Subsidy
- Rural Teacher Incentive (up to $30,000 per annum less value of Rental Subsidy, where applicable)
- Retention Bonus ($5,000 per annum for up to 10 years)
- Experienced Teacher Benefit ($10,000 per annum for up to 5 years)
- Stamp Duty Relief payment (a one-off payment up to $10,000).
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