Staffing issues, burnout, insufficient training and low pay mean even the most passionate of educators are ready to leave the field
erri-Anne O’Donnell always wanted to work with children. When she was a teenager, she says, she had idols in the early childhood profession instead of the pop world. But after almost 50 years in the job, the veteran educator says she is “old and crabby, jaded and almost defeated”.
Many have left the profession, including Elena Petrou, who worked as an educator for 10 years and is currently completing her PhD in early childhood education. She says that as passionate as she is, passion doesn’t pay the bills. She believes a 15% pay rise will be insufficient to attract teachers to the profession, but says measures including more mental health support, paid annual and sick leave and paid professional development might.
“The government certainly has been really clear that they want to lift the wages of early education workers … the campaign for 25% is not over,” says Smith.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cathy Freeman and husband James Murch announce end to marriage after 15 years7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Aussie Olympic legend announces shock end to 15-year marriageAustralian Olympic legend Cathy Freeman has announced the end of her 15-year marriage to husband James Murch.
Read more »
One Australian town braces for 15-year record breaking heatwaveAlice Springs is set to reach 35C at the end of this week with a high likelihood it could break the August record temperature of 35.2C as an “unusually warm” airmass approaches Central Australia.
Read more »
Meet the woman who helped a 15-year-old win two LogiesMeet Nadia Townsend, the dramaturg who double-Logie winner Felix Cameron thanked in his acceptance speech on Sunday night.
Read more »
Meet the woman who helped a 15-year-old win two LogiesMeet Nadia Townsend, the dramaturg who double-Logie winner Felix Cameron thanked in his acceptance speech on Sunday night.
Read more »
Meet the woman who helped a 15-year-old win two LogiesMeet Nadia Townsend, the dramaturg who double-Logie winner Felix Cameron thanked in his acceptance speech on Sunday night.
Read more »