Mix 94.5

I’m 14 and I got to school, I can tell you some thing; give them the money all ready. Oh my, these people are raising the people of the future. Would Johnny be who he is with out he education, Dam not, he wouldn't. The government is doing what it normally does; leaving it to it’s too late. These people do there job on low poor money, when these people should be paid the most. They raise these kids to be who they are and they are upset they will take it out on them. Grow up face the facts there are more in important people out there that should be paid more.
So become a man and take control what needs to be done. Raise the pay and make the school system better so the kids stop dropping out and going for low jobs because they can’t stand school. So there is no to late because soon there wont be a school system. Why not spending money on promoting sex and smokes and put it to some thing useful.
They love there job, even thou I’m 14 and I get paid more then my teacher. I work for the money they work because they love it SO much they willing to give up most there life to a bunch kids that will hopefully do something great.

Posted by Keshia Kimber Thursday 7 August, 2008 03:11 PM

and buy the way top public servents got a 19% pay rise about $14000 a yer extra and they didnt even need to strike, who complained.

Posted by adrian Tuesday 22 July, 2008 11:57 AM

just one more thing who in this argument thinks that they deserve more money for what they do, everyone ,no one would object to a pay rise,and if you say you would you are F.O.S

Posted by adrian Tuesday 22 July, 2008 11:53 AM

teachers deserve a pay rise i left school in year 10 got an apprentiship as a boilermaker i did not spend for years at uni and my job is not as demanding ,i should know my wife is a teacher but yet i am paid just as much as her for a 40 hour week. we worked out that my wife works an average of 10 hours a day 7 days a week, if you take into concideration teacher parent meatings ,camps ,marking work at home, organising class lessons, kids with special needs, staff meetings ,getig the class room ready for the next semester. cleaning the class room every night because cleaners complain they have to clean up, reports ,student portfolios, watching the kids during lunch and recess, daily work pad,wich is done at home writing letters to perents because there child is a brat,she works in a chatholic school so there is also mass holy comunion but i will leave that out of the equationand the list goes on,my wife comes home at about 5.30 every night and then works till about 10.30 pm, and working on weekends and school holidays, just because your kids are home watching tv does not mean teachers are doing the same they are usually marking or organising future lessons,she earns about 17 dollars an hour. if i worked the same hours i would be on$127000 a year she would earn more money as a cleaner( steve) . so to those people out there who think teaching is easy ,think again, i have.

Posted by adrian Tuesday 22 July, 2008 11:47 AM

to steve the cleaner if the teachers cleaned the class rooms ,you would be out of a job, think about it.

Posted by adrian Tuesday 22 July, 2008 11:09 AM

Teachers are being asked to look after our children for at least 6 hours a day while a lot of us are at work. I would love to be a stay at home mum but I have to work because the government gave me nothing when I came to this country as I wasn't a refugee. Anyway, I have also worked in a school and I know the amount of preparation that goes into getting lessons and things ready for a day/week/term. A lot of those teachers had families and had to take them to work with them because it was easier. I have also seen bright eyed graduates being crushed because of the pressures suddenly being placed upon them for all the extra things that were required; I saw the frustration over the abominable OBE system. Education Ministers should try at least one week at the coalface in the toughest schools and see the potential violence teachers are faced with from kids who would rather be disruptive than learn; the verbal abuse they take; teachers studied hard to get to where they are and have been trying to get better pay since I was at school in the 1980s and yes, they went on strike in the UK for the same reasons they are stating here - low pay, no respect. I thought about teaching as a profession but I have to confess I changed my mind because I know that now, I would have probably quit. Who in their right minds would work in some secondary schools today - teachers are not allowed to give out discipline. I had corporal punishment at my school and I know that the mere threat of it was enough to make me behave. Teachers, nurses and police are people at the cutting edge of society - we need them to educate, to heal and to help and often in teachers; that's all three in one. I know what the teachers get paid in the lower ranks. You have to get to the top job to get the top dollar.

Our politicians (and it doesn't matter which party because they all shaft the public anyway) get paid for behaving like total tossers but still get massive amounts of money for going abroad, sniffing chairs and feeling up womens' boobs. That's totally unacceptable. Teachers should be listened to - it's out of sheer frustration that they are taking the stance they have because they have been pushed to the limit and this is the only way they can be heard.

Posted by Diane Burke Tuesday 22 July, 2008 07:46 AM

Well, as all the parents breathe a sigh of relief that today is the last day of the school holidays and they only have the weekend til their 'delightful children' go back to school - if they weren't your kids, how much would you need to be paid to control and educate 32 of them at once?

Things that make me go hmmmm?

Posted by Rusty Friday 18 July, 2008 01:02 PM

As an Ed assistant, i see what goes on in the class rooms and will say that the teachers do not get paid any where enough to compensate them for the abuse and language and threats that they recieve daily from the students either high school or primary

Posted by deb Thursday 17 July, 2008 02:29 PM

Yes I agree teachers deserve more. I am a nurse and I have to say we are worse off. we just got a payrise but I cannot afford my own home, will I ever? Sad really we are battling to have a home to call our own and yet the government thinks that we do alright!! Plus rent is on the rise, no that any of that will affect our pollies, they just got a 40% payrise!!

Posted by Kay Wednesday 9 July, 2008 09:25 PM

I disagree - most teachers are not "pigs" in their classrooms. There is one teacher with 32 kids in a room. This is a challenge at the best of times. At theend of a day's productive learning and creating, the room is bound to be worse for wear. Let's not split hairs. I do, however, agree that cleaners' pay is poor.

Posted by Rusty Monday 7 July, 2008 11:35 AM

I am a cleaner at a primary school, never mind the pay rise for teachers what about the poor cleaners $16 per hour . Most teachers are absolute pigs in there classrooms, make no attempt to clean up, just leave it for the cleaners

Posted by Steve Saturday 5 July, 2008 04:28 PM

Thank you for welcoming me to your world Jo...maybe I should say to you the same as most parents say to us...well then darling get him to find a better job if he's not happy with that one!! Not nice is it when you hear your husbands hard work being unnoticed and treated like its worth nothing. I feel for you I really do but you lot are not getting mad at the right people. For goodness sake WA WAKE UP and start yelling at the government!!! The only way that this will be resolved is to put pressure on the ones who are supposed to be 'incharge' - God help us!!

Posted by Tanya Sunday 22 June, 2008 02:21 PM

Jaqueline - you demonstrate that you clearly have no idea what it is that teachers do. Do you think that teachers get paid extra for parents' nights/school camps (24 hours care a day), etc? No they don't. Again, I challenge any parent to keep up with a teacher for a day, especially in a govt. school with 32 kids.

Steve - who else could do the report? Gimme a break; most people only know schools from their own experience when they are at school. What did you knowabout the filed of work you are in now when you were at school-not much compared to now.

Posted by Rusty Thursday 19 June, 2008 03:07 PM

so the report on teachers has been released, guess who did the report.
EX TEACHERS !!!!!

Posted by Steve Thursday 19 June, 2008 08:38 AM

Hey, Tricia! 30 years ago policemen and policewomen used to stand at busy crossroads controlling and directing traffic. I suppose now that we have traffic lights we don't need the police any more, eh?

Posted by Chalkie Wednesday 18 June, 2008 08:28 PM

I have been a teacher for nearly 25 years and have seen many changes to the profession in that time. Whereas teachers were once respected and valued by the community, it seems that they have increasingly had to take the blame for everything - from what can only be described as poor parenting, to youth unemployment and even youth crime.
In recent years many of my colleagues have become disenchanted with the job - the pressure put on them to "get results", plus the fact that many other people in the work force are relatively less skilled, yet better paid with better conditions. While I still love my job and believe that I can make a difference to children's futures, I must admit that the thought has crossed my mind that I could be up north driving trucks or cleaning dongers for a lot more money and possibly a lot less stress than teaching.

Posted by Kaz Wednesday 18 June, 2008 11:41 AM

I think anyone who can get a payrise under either government,well good on you.I think the 21% the teachers union is demanding is way,way over the top,it flaunts with stupidity.Most people in the workforce today are very happy with 5-10%.Maybe what the teachers union should do is accept a lower wage rise today,and work on a higher rise tomorrow.Truthfully,I am more worried of kids having too much time off out of school.I have 2 kids in primary school.If you count up all the time they have off for;
1/School development day,
2/pupil free day,
3/weekly staff meeting(early finish)
...and now strike days,the kids are hardly ever at school.Can any teachers honestly explain why so much time is needed to run all these meeetings,during what should be school hours?

Posted by mark Wednesday 18 June, 2008 11:16 AM

If the teachers have to strike fair enough as some of the teachers do a wonderful job, but why does it have to be at the expense of our childrens learning. I am not in agreement to withholding Reports from parents who are genuinely interested to see how well their child/children are doing at school.
We already had term one reports held back, and now you are saying we may not get semester one reports, i believe you are playing with our childrens education which is not right. I as a mother believe education is so important as without it they may not get the job they are looking forward to seeking. So as you could imagine when you decide to strike at the expense of our childrens learning it frustrates the hell out of me. What kind of an example are you sending ot to our children anyway when you are striking during their time of learning you are sending out the wrong message but I for one look forward to seeing my kids reports, so please reconsider completing them and handing them out as normal.
Also we are told teachers are free to speak to us if we are concerned or just wanting to know how they are progressing in general but when is a suitable time to see them as they will start complaining about having to stay back to speak to parents.
I could go on and on about when I was at school but I know that would fall on deaf ears so I do feel teachers today do have it a bit easier as they don't have the children in the same class for the whole day, even primary school is turning into high school with children going to different classes, which teachers then have what is called dot time.

Again all I ask is that you put the needs of our children first.

Posted by Jacqueline Wednesday 18 June, 2008 08:06 AM

S T R I K E S T R I K E S T R I K E All Teachers unite & strike and not just for half a day at a time, make it for at least a week. Make all of the ungrateful parents take notice. You are not their cheap baby sitting service. Perhaps they could get Mr McGowan to become a Substitute Teacher. Perhaps Mr McGowan would know what it was like to rise early, prepare for the day, week & term. Go to school teach 34 students of varying abilties. Now that he is in the class 8:50 start teaching, go through to morning recess. Return from morning recess, continue with lessons til lunch time. Return from lunch another lesson, afternoon recess, then more lessons. Children leave for the day. Stay behind do some catch up prepare for next morning. Come home mark papers and start the process all over again. I will tell you, just one week of this, not only would he cave in, he would more than double your wages. And for all of those moaning whining knockers get off your backsides and do a better job. Y O U A L L K N O W Y O U C A N, but let's see how long you would do it for the dollars that are paid. SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!! Give Teachers the repect they deserve..

Posted by Mary Wednesday 18 June, 2008 07:44 AM

As an ex-teacher who has taught and also "done" (you know, the old addage of "those who can do and those who can't teach"), the general public could not keep up with the workload of a normal week for a good teacher.
I used to desperately need the holidays by the time they came and could not believe it when I took my first position out of a school - the school holidays came and went and I kept working with energy to spare! It is not a short working day, particularly for secondary teachers with upper school marking loads. The hours spent at home, for hours, almost every night, marking students' work is unseen by the public.
Teachers are professionals and are paid incredibly poorly for what they achieve for society as a whole and for government school teachers, often against all odds and in terrible working conditions, both for the teachers and students.

McGowan's ridiculous suggestion that "Dip Ed-ers" (as they're known) could have their already paltry one year 'teaching qualification' reduced to three months would result in disaster for students.
Dip Ed-ers are already known among the profession as those that didn't find employment in their chosen field and so, decided to teach their subject of passion to kids. This simply doesn't work. An example is a person who has a degree in, say, literature. This person can't find employment in this field and does a (currently) one year Dip Teach qualification. This has very little practical included, so they end up in a school the following year, expecting the students to love literature they way they do; only the kids don't and the trouble begins. These Dip Ed-ers by and large cannot control student behaviour due mostly to the lack of tuition and practical covered in "proper" teaching qualifications. The kids run riot in these classrooms and very little learning takes place as a result.
If this suggestion by McGowan is accepted, then students are the ones that will suffer.
I have been the Recruitment Officer for Teasching and the President of a national education association, so my views are both qualified and due.

Let's pay the teachers a wage lative to the workload, stress and outcomes to society that are invloved, comparable to other positions and salary levels. While we're at it, let's not shorten the already poor qualification of Diploma of Education-if anything, the suggestion should be to lengthen it.

Posted by Rusty Tuesday 17 June, 2008 02:25 PM

Reply to Steve - Grow up and get a life, yes I made some typos - big deal. Obviously everything else I said was not important - typical from people who care more about being 'inconvenienced' than worried about their child's education.

Posted by Lynnelle Monday 16 June, 2008 11:06 AM

People are obviously not reading previous comments, as answers to the questions below have already been posted. Where does Michelle get 14 weeks holiday leave plus 4 weeks annual leave from? this is simply grossly untrue. 9 till 3 is when we teach, this is only a fraction of the work required. Their are meetings, preparation, tests to create etc etc (see previous post). Jo says to put up with it. Well that is a disastrous attitude and is the type of attitude that has created the mass shortage and the decline in experience and education of our teachers. Followed to its logical conclusion you will not have a free quality education system for the majority in the future. Some of you left school to early.

Posted by Michael Monday 16 June, 2008 08:29 AM

Teachers work far longer than many uninformed correspondents think, and after putting up with "your little darlings" for ten or twelve weeks I can tell you they are ready and needful of a break( remember they have twenty plus of them at a time).
Also remember them ruinining many family evenings when doing reports ( which no one probably reads! ) until 11.00pm at night.
They earn their money, I couldn't do their job without banging heads!
As for strike action...is it ever justified? I personally think not.

Posted by Rob Ainsworth Monday 16 June, 2008 08:26 AM

Clearly our teachers are failing in their duties as educators, given the number of spelling and grammatical errors in some of the comments people have made. Who cares if teachers continue to be underpaid and undervalued anyway? We can all tlk N rite lke we R txting. lol

Posted by Denno Monday 16 June, 2008 07:59 AM

How horrible it must be for teachers, 14 weeks holiday leave and they can also get 4 weeks annual leave. 9.00 till 3.00pm mon-friday, weekends off how terrible!!!!! And they make more money than all of us!!!!

Posted by MICHELLE GRANUCCI Monday 16 June, 2008 06:32 AM

Yes i think teachers work hard, and are probably underpaid but do they work so much harder than anyone else? My husband is a farmer, so welcome to my world Tanya - he leaves home at 5.30, gets home anytime after 6 (usually 7.30pm) goes for days with out seeing our children in the busy times (seeding, harvesting) - he doesnt get set holidays or a set wage. Teachers like everyone going for a job know the wage when they study to be one... if you dont like it dont do. The best teachers are the ones that are doing it because they love it - not for the money...

Posted by Jo Sunday 15 June, 2008 05:13 PM

I am so fed up with the 'only working until 8:30 - 3' and the '12 weeks holiday' crap. We have to teach classes from 8 till 3, so when do you think we prepare lessons, create assignments and tests, mark assignments and tests, prepare homework and create programs? c'mon tell me? Well I will tell you! at night, on weekends and on 'holidays'. Oh I dream of a 38 hour week Sandra and 4 weeks leave. If the job was so good why have 2 teachers at my school that were brand new at the beginning of the year given their notice to leave at the end of the term? Why have I phoned Transperth to enquire about being a bus driver as I would love to come home and have my time as my own. Both my kids earn more than me and they have only been in the workforce a couple of years and only 1 with a degree. I have 5 years Uni education and been a practicing teacher for 4 years and I am in a Catholic school on $51,000 full time.

Wake Up

Posted by Michael Sunday 15 June, 2008 02:56 PM

Reply to Lynnelle. teachers obviously need the pay rise so they can get extra tuition to improve there read u ng , writing and spelling

Posted by Steve Friday 13 June, 2008 08:45 PM

Oh come guys...please dont lets roll out the '8-3" and "11 weeks paid holidays a year" joke. I rise at 5.30 to see my husband - an Administrator at a local public high school, off to work at 6.30am. Most days he isnt not home until after 6.30pm that night. He NEVER has 11 weeks off a year, if we boil it all down he would probably have around 3 -he does his proffessional development in the 'holidays', he is at work during the 'holidays', this is all with him being spoken to as if he is dirt by parents and students alike - and unlike the private system you cant just 'get rid of them'. I am so proud of my husband and our friends for what they do in our public school system and its about time they got the accolades for it not only from the government but from the parents of these brats that they are forced to babysit because their parent dont know how to parent properly. I am all for the teachers going for broke. If parents are aginst this action then complain to the one who is holding it all up - McGowan and his buddies.

Posted by Tanya Friday 13 June, 2008 12:28 PM

Funny you know. When the school holidays are on, parents complain about having their kids so long at home and can't wait until they go back to school. Is your child that bad? And then, when they go back to school, who's problem does your child become? The teachers, that's who. Wake up you people out there - you don't want to look after your own kids, so pay the teachers what they are really worth. Otherwise, you may find you have your child on your hands even longer.....what a terrifying thought for a lot of parents out there!

Posted by Roberta Friday 13 June, 2008 11:53 AM

Yes teachers are doing a great job of teaching our children, however WA children are far behind the eastern states children.

What they are teaching our children in year 1 the eastern states children are taught it in Kindergarten. I know I spoke to one of my childrens teachers who had come from the east and she was shocked!
As I was and I'm sure everyone else would be if they found out the facts. WA has the most highest paid workers than any other state.
As for Grace just to fill you in and everybody else that is out there that has this belief that the mining work is the best thing since sliced bread it isn't as big as what the media are telling you. I also know this as my husband and I own a Labour Hire company and no one we have got resumes for can get on the mines because the big companies aren't taking anymore people. They don't want people to fly in and out (it costs too much ) they want people that live in the little towns surrounding those mines. Sad but true...!

Posted by Nicole Friday 13 June, 2008 09:04 AM

I am so fed up with this government carrying on the way they do over pay rates. every-one knows, our teachers do a wonderful job. Get your act together W.A. government if you want a chance for another term. I may be only 1 voter who has had enough, our teachers are very precious, By the way, I am not a teacher.

Posted by Claire Friday 13 June, 2008 08:58 AM

Come on guys you asked for 20% u got 14%. What the hell do you need to strike for? Nobody else even gets near that sort of numbers in the public service. Go join the Private sector if you want more than that. I work for the public service. I am a health professonal. We always have to give up a condition such as public holiday ,tea break to make a double figure on a pay deal. So what are you going to give up? May be if you all promise to work a 38 hr week and have 4 weeks leave you could get 20% with my blessing. You poor darlings. Only you guys work hard no one else does! Wake up.

Posted by Sandra Sjollema Thursday 12 June, 2008 10:15 PM

I think teachers really need to have a good look at what they already have and just be greatful for it. I have worked in the child care industry for over 20 years and the two jobs are not that different. But I would like to point out the greatest differences between working in the child care industry and working as a teacher. In child care we only get 4 weeks a year holiday, we all know how many holidays per year teachers get. We only get time to prepare programs away from children if we are lucky enough to work in an centre which recognises the importance of staff having some space to do their work, but by large most trained staff members do it in their own time, teachers and assistance get a whole day to plan and prepare for lessons. In child care we sometimes need to work an 11 hour shift, without lunch or tea breaks (I have moved into after school care and it is not unheard of me working from 7am til 6pm), teachers only need to work between 8.45am til 3.00pm. Teachers feel they can go on strike at any time to prove a point, what that means for a out of school care centre which has limited staff, the trained staff is expected to work from opening to closing time (yes there's that 11 hour day again). If a child misbehaves in child care we have little to no opitions, in school the child can be suspected. In the community there is a lot more respect for teachers (thou I think that may now me lessing). Child care is still seen as just "babysitting". Yet in child care all staff are to have a current first aid, teacher's do not require one. Many trained staff have a university degree, or some sort of qualifications, which many now do it on the job (that means they study and work at the same time). We must have a Working with Children Check Card. In child care we need to ensure we follow the regulations within child care, licensing requirements and quailty assurance. Working with children is a very stressful job, I know I've been doing it, but I have been doing it for over 20 years without complaining about the pay, which I must say is peanuts compared to the job I am required to do, I would like to see a teacher live on my wage. We have much poorer working conditions and we get on with it and don't hold our children up for ransom. It is our future you are messing with, just pull your head in and get on with the job you are paid to do and put pride into your work. Stop complaining, there are people out there doing it tougher then you.

Posted by angela Thursday 12 June, 2008 08:31 PM

Teachers deserve a lot more credit (and a lot more money) than they are getting at the moment. I have heard the chestnut of working 40 hours a week and that they get more time off as they get school holidays etc. What a load of furfy. I am sure that like in most workplaces there are some teachers out there that do the minimum to receive the maximum, but I am damn sure that this is the exception to the rule. I know a lot of school teachers and they do out of school activities, they mentor their students and they are on call for them as well as helping their charges to develop strong working relationships with them. This enables the students to have trust and if they are having an issue to have someone apart from their family to go to! Teachers - and nurses and paramedics and all the unsung heroes that look after us and our families deserve to be paid and paid well!!! They are the backbone that in conjunction with the family unit (and sometimes despite it) teach, nurture and ultimately provide the people that we are proud of - the next generation! Does this not deserve a pay rise?

Posted by Sharon Thursday 12 June, 2008 08:28 PM

Let me start by saying that I am a teacher. I guess I am fortunate that I teach at a private school so that I don't have to put up with as much poor behaviour as my state school colleagues.

But, some of the comments posted here against the teacher's pay rise made me extremely angry.

Firstly, I wish someone would "make" me work 40 hours a week, 48 weeks a year. Yes ok, I get more weeks off, but not really sure when I last worked only 40 hours in a week. 8:00pm right now and I am about to prepare some answers to a worksheet for my year 10's who are struggling then I will write some reports. I will probably not finish until 11 tonight.

Spent all of last weekend marking exams, I mean ALL, probably 20 hours just on Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend I hope to finish writing my reports so that I don't have to do it during the early evening and maybe have some time with my kids.

In three weeks time, I am going off to camp with my school, 3 days where I will be lucky to get 6 hrs sleep a night as well as being responsible for the kids behaviour 24 hours a day, there is 72 hours right there.

I am training the future engineers, scientists, doctors. I myself am very highly qualified being one of the very few physics teachers with an actual university degree in physics.

Yes, I could go and get another job, but I am not going to, because I really enjoy what I do. Surely just because I enjoy what I do doesn’t mean I should be underpaid and undervalued.

I know there are teachers out there who knock off a 3:30 and don't do any work during the holidays, and to be honest they give us a bad name. Why are they teachers? Because no one else wants the job. Why don't they want the job, no respect, lousy pay (for someone with a professional degree, 4-5 years at uni), long hours, horrible work conditions and having to put up with the sort of behaviour that only teenagers know how to dish out.

So which is it? The chicken or the egg, do we have slack, unprofessional teachers because that’s what we pay for, or we pay them so little because they are slack and unprofessional? And what about those who do not fall into these categories, should everyone be tarred with the same brush?

The Twomey report should have been released months ago. The only reason it hasn’t been released has to be that it recommends large pay rises for teachers to attract a better level of professional to the field.

Posted by Mark Thursday 12 June, 2008 07:30 PM

My reply to Graham is I wish I worked a 40 hour week for 48 weeks a year!!. I actually work far more hours than that, and I am proud of it!!. My daughter is continually complaining about the long hours I work and the time I have to go in to school during the holidays to ensure my studenst have a full and rounded education. So please do not assume we teachers only work 9am - 3pm - that is a misconception and maybe you need to visit your local school and actually see what is happening outside thjose allocated times!. Yes I agree that there are slack teachers out there, however that can be said about any profession - if you are a slacker you will be one no matter what job you do - how would you like it Graham if I started into your profession and assumed things abouit you - you wouldn't like it!.
Yes I work very long hours, but please remember I do so because I value (and LOVE) my job. I find it very rewarding to know I have contributed to nuturing our future generations. I do not work in a cushy schoool, where I work we work extremely hard and we have some very challeging studenst, and we are very proud of our school and we value our studenst. Every teacher at my school puts in way more than the 'norm' to ensure our studenst get the best possible education they can (and I am not just taking abgout readung & writing - I'm including sport, leisure, someone who listens to them, ensures they have food, they can get home, have enough money for a bus home, have a home to live in, someone who cares ... I could go on and on!). We teachers do far more than simply chalk and talk. Listen to your children and you may be surprised about what things we do.
So what I may never have award winning students, but I have honest and hardworking young men and women who want to do something with their lives.
I work by this ' Teaching is not a job, it is a life style'

Posted by Lynnelle Thursday 12 June, 2008 04:48 PM

I am of the opinion that teachers are doing a noble service and they do a lot in terms of building up the character of a child. When the cost of living goes up and their workload is increased they are justified in having a reasonable pay rise as everyone else.

I am aware that teachers spend far more time evaluating, correcting and marking the books and papers that the children submit, after school hours. Are they being paid for this??

Posted by Philip Thursday 12 June, 2008 01:07 PM

Whilst I do not think the strikes are justified I do believe the teachers deserve a higher pay level that should be outcomes based. I believe the teachers deserve better because the majority spend a lot of their family time marking and reading. Many spend time developing their own lessons as opposed to downloading them , although I am sure their are some who don't put that kind of effort in.
The strikes are disruptive and do make it extremely hard for working families. I run my own business so a strike is always a big problem for me as my children cannot be in my workplace.
I am more concerned over the threat to withhold school reports. That would completely cease my support of the teachers. I am removing my children from the public school system as it appears to be failing in far too many areas.

Posted by leanne Thursday 12 June, 2008 12:50 PM

If the teachers are given there pay rise they should be made to work a 40 hour week, 48 weeks of the year like the rest of the workforce. Maybe all the positive comments are posted by teachers

Posted by Graham Thursday 12 June, 2008 11:20 AM

I agree with Tricia. Teachers nowadays have a great job with great perks. Heck, in what other profession does one get 14 or so weeks paid holidays?? I am sick and tired of the teachers strikes. Not only does it disrupt the our children it disrupts the parents who work as well. Get over yourselves and appreciate the great job you do have.

Posted by Justine Thursday 12 June, 2008 10:44 AM

I am so sick of the teacher strikes.Yes teachers are vital and do a wonderful job, but striking for higher pay is ridiculous. Who else gets 14 weeks paid holidays a year??? as well as work 8-4pm? If you don't like the pay get another job.

Posted by Chris Thursday 12 June, 2008 10:39 AM

Here's a few points that every one needs to know about this subject;
*Twenty years ago, students learned from text books and from their teachers. Now they learn from computers.
*The number one reason for fundraising in schools is to buy more computers.
*Hard work for a teacher twenty years ago was staying up late writing and marking tests, as well as writing up the next days lesson plan. Now all they do is figure out what website to get the next days lesson plan from.
*What ever rate of pay the Government gives the teachers/nurses/public servants as a pay rise, their respective unions put up their fees, by that same ammount.

I'm all for a fair go, but as a tax payer and a parent, I'm not prepared to give these teachers their requested pay rise - not untill they make a conscious decision to actually teach my children and the rest of the kids in this great state. Sorry.

Posted by tricia Thursday 12 June, 2008 10:19 AM

I don't know what is going on in the Government, but I sure as egg's know that teachers are being undervalued and massively underpaid. I firmly believe Teachers should be paid double what they currently earn, as it's a terribly difficult job to do. This would also attract more Teachers to the profession. Lets just hope most of the Ministers in this Government can read....

Posted by Glenn Watson Thursday 12 June, 2008 10:16 AM

You'd think with the mining boom that the govt could spare a few bucks a week per teacher to recognise all the hard work they do? I mean, come on...

Posted by Grace Thursday 12 June, 2008 09:17 AM

im currently a year 12 student doing TEE... so as much as i hate to admit it.. going to school is really important and time is precious as we have a certain amount of material that the curriculum council expects us to have covered before the TEE exams. when teachers go on strike it puts more pressure on us because they're not there to help teach us what we need to know! and we often end up with relief teachers who don't know anything about the subjects they're filling in for. it'd be nice if the government would recognise that teacher strikes affect upper school students especially. they could easily put an end to all this by just giving them a pay rise. teachers really dont get the recognition and credit they deserve.

Posted by jenna Thursday 12 June, 2008 09:15 AM

Where would our members of government be without their education? Teachers are not only important for our children but also for the future economy. The teaching profession needs to be given more respect.

A strike is not the best way to go about this because the children suffer. the wider community needs to have a greater respect for teachers which can be pushed onto the government.

Posted by Anthony Thursday 12 June, 2008 09:08 AM

Labor state govt AND federal govt... what a surprise, strikes strikes strikes... pathetic!

Posted by Johnno Thursday 12 June, 2008 08:50 AM