Ministers statements: teacher workforce
Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:30): I rise to update the house on this government’s commitment to our teacher workforce. Over the past five years we have seen an 11 per cent increase in the number of teachers – that is double the national average. This is a direct result of our initiatives to ensure teachers have world-class professional learning and facilities. Just last week I was proud to officially open the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership centre in Moe along with a member for Eastern Victoria in the other place. Teachers across Gippsland and Latrobe Valley now have a new hub where they can engage in a range of programs and events dedicated to leadership and excellence in teaching and also collaborate at a local level. This government has invested over $148 million to establish this academy and seven regional centres. Moe is now the third academy in the regions to open, followed by the opening of Geelong – with the member for Geelong – and also Ballarat has opened its doors, but it is yet to have its official opening. We are ensuring that regional and rural teachers have access to the best educator resources to deliver for local kids, because we know that no matter where you live every Victorian kid deserves the very best education on offer. On Monday this week I announced the first placement of teachers in training in Tallangatta and Wangaratta as part of the Teach Rural program. This program supports up to 200 teachers in training to undertake their placements in government schools in rural and regional Victoria. As of this year teachers across Victoria are benefiting also from an additional hour outside face-to-face teaching. This is an allowance to increase their time to plan for lessons. This is a fantastic investment of $779 million, an investment of 1900 more teachers.