Bulk offers of permanency
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 7, 29 September 2023, page no. 17
As was reported in the last Journal, the Department of Education (DoE) is carrying out two rounds of bulk offers of permanency to temporary teachers.
The department is required under legislation to maximise permanency. It is also imperative given the current teacher shortage.
However, the lack of communication by the DoE with school leaders and temporary teachers has created angst and confusion for many members. The fact that graduates were appointed ahead of longer serving temps, without the latter being told to expect an offer, left some members feeling devalued. Some school leader members reported being surprised by the process, which meant they did not have the opportunity to engage with regional staffing or prepare their staff for the news.
It has also caused doubt about the DoE’s commitment to the statewide transfer process.
This is a major concern for the QTU, because all students in all schools have the right to teachers; not just those in popular locations. Teachers who have relocated their lives to serve the statewide system must be looked after when they are eligible to return.
The first batch (graduate teachers) was released on 3 August. In total, 979 offers were made and more than 85 per cent of teachers accepted the offer. This is significantly better than under the old memorandum of agreement process, where emails went unopened and only half the teachers invited opted in to the conversion process. Even less of those then accepted the offer of permanency. And while the MoA process gave the DoE the ability to move teachers to the outer regions upon conversion, very few actually went. Not a single teacher relocated to one of the outer regions under the MoA conversion process last year. The old conversion process was not an effective way of encouraging teachers to move from the south-east corner. Given the teacher shortage, particularly in the outer regions, the department has had to try something different.
The DoE advises that a second batch of offers, for longer serving temporary teachers, will be released late in Week 2 of Term 4.
Most of these teachers are being offered permanency with an initial school location of the one they are currently on contract at.
The DoE assures the QTU that transfers will not be negatively impacted by the bulk conversions. We understand newly permanent teachers are warned at appointment that “transfer to another location may occur as soon as the commencement of the following school year or earlier where required.”
This is in addition to the regular clause in DoE appointment letters advising that it is a condition of permanent employment that all classroom teachers may be required to work statewide.
This requirement is subject to the compassionate framework. For example, teachers who have serious medical conditions or shared custody arrangements can appeal against required transfers.
The QTU is aware that some schools will be overallocated as a result of the bulk conversions. Other schools, both in the outer regions and in parts of the south-east corner, remain woefully understaffed.
The movement of newly permanent teachers, along with required transfers, should ensure that guaranteed transfers are accommodated. The QTU is closely monitoring guaranteed and requested transfers. At its meeting on 26 August, State Council carried motions supporting this.
We expect an increased use of district relief teachers and local relief teachers next year. Members who currently work as casual and supply teachers should be aware that there is likely to be less work available next year. This is an intentional move by the DoE to ensure teacher supply and to maximise permanent employment. Members who have continuous service as a supply or temporary teacher who do not receive a permanent offer next term should consider whether to request an employment review. More information is available at https://www.qtu.asn.au/temporary-permanent-changes
More teachers permanently employed in the state school system is good for the individuals made permanent and it benefits the broader staff as there is less upward pressure on workload when staff are less vulnerable and more willing to reject workload imposts. It is also good for school communities and for our system as a whole. But the way the department has implemented these changes certainly has room for improvement. The QTU is working closely with the DoE in the lead up to the next batch of offers, hoping to address the issues experienced in the first round.