NSW Teachers Federation members at Darlington Point Public School walked off the job last Thursday over the Government’s failure to properly staff schools in rural and regional areas.

NSW Teachers Federation claims teachers have been spooked over a proposal to reduce transfer points and are predicting a mass exodus from the western region’s small schools.

NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra said the school was constantly struggling to attract and retain teachers to fill vacancies.

“Teachers at Darlington Point are concerned the Department of Education is undermining confidence in the state-wide transfer system by suggesting schools close to regional towns are not ‘rural and remote’ and should be stripped on incentives to attract new staff,” Mr Rajendra said.

“The school has been unable to recruit teachers for the COVID intensive learning position.

“And when they do find a teacher to fill a position, applicants often decline job offers because it is hard to find somewhere to live in Griffith.”

Mr Rajendra said Darlington Point is forced to combine classes when teachers are on leave or attending professional learning courses.

“This is simply unacceptable and places enormous pressure on the staff when teachers are not replaced or teaching jobs remain unfilled,” he said.

“Over the past decade the NSW Government and Department have weakened previously successful processes that ensured adequate staffing of all schools across the state.

“The NSW Government has let down students, parents and the wider community by failing to provide teachers for every student and every class.

“The Education Department have known of the dire teacher shortage for some time but failed to address the problem. It is grossly unfair for students, and in many cases, those with the most complex learning needs.”

NSW Teachers Federation organiser Brett Bertalli told the Argus teachers at Darlington Point and other small schools would lose professional learning and financial incentives.

Mr Bertalli said at Darlington Point teaches were at risk of losing a 70 per cent rental subsidy and a $30,000 bonus.

“They will have to take a big pay cut and be forced to compete with schools in Griffith if transfer points are reduced and the smaller schools will struggle to attract teachers.”

Mr Bertalli said Darlington Point staff were not ruling out further stop work action and moved a resolution to write to the Minister to lift their transfer points.

He said schools at Leeton and Binya were also at risk due to their proximity to Griffith.

“My concern is people with no understanding of the transfer system and the importance of it are having input.

“Schools and teachers are getting on the front foot and indicating to the Minister we feel very strongly about this and won’t walk away from any discussion about reduction in transfer points.

“We need to lift transfer points for schools that are difficult to staff, not decrease them.

“It really has spooked teachers – there is a track record of the government doing this in the past.

“There will be a mass exodus from the far West of NSW if the Minister goes down this path.”

Mr Bertalli said in 2008 Bourke High School lost the principal, two deputies, four head teachers and seven classroom teachers, spooked over the proposal to reduce transfers.

“The school began 2009 with half of their staff and created absolute turmoil.”