From the President: Our members' voices are crucial to our system's success
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 7, 29 September 2023, page no. 7
It is just over 12 months since principals gathered to discuss the proposed development and consultation around “Equity and Excellence”. A year on, reflection on these tenets is important, as is the place of the school leader and teacher voice within the system.
There are many parts to achieving Equity and Excellence in our schools. Our members are committed to delivering high-quality education to every student, regardless of their background. However, as we reflect, it is crucial to highlight the central role that the teacher and school leader voice, professional autonomy, and decision-making play within Queensland’s unique and extremely decentralised and geographically vast educational context. The voices of our 48,000 members, their professional autonomy, and the decision-making processes are critical to the success of Equity and Excellence.
Our members, teachers, heads of programs, guidance officers, deputies, principals- and others are the lifeblood of our education system. Participation in QTU committees, boards, Executive and State Council ensure your voices are heard loud and clear within the corridors of power. Our Union’s advocacy efforts have led to significant strides in achieving equitable policies and excellence in education. You, our members on the frontline, have a wealth of knowledge and insights into the realities of our classrooms. Your experiences and feedback are imperative in shaping decision-making processes.
Consultative mechanisms in schools can provide a rich and meaningful dialogue on what is working and what is a pressure point. The school LCC is a critical place to represent the voice of QTU members. The Principles of Good Workload Management underpin the importance of consultation. If something new is a good idea, what goes from current practice? How is it resourced? What is the purpose of the proposed change and how will it make life better for QTU members?
At times, seeing the effectiveness of the LCC can be difficult, but a commitment to effective consultation is worth it, although it can take time.
Moreover, Queensland educators can be powerful advocates for students facing challenges. They can shine a light on disparities, demand equitable resource allocation, and champion policies that address the systemic issues plaguing our schools. By elevating the voices of Queensland teachers, we achieve much on each other’s behalf. This will reflect the principles of Equity and Excellence in reality.
Professional autonomy is more than just a buzzword; it represents the freedom for Queensland teachers to exercise their professional judgment within their classrooms. The QTU has a longstanding commitment to this autonomy and continues to fight for it, because we understand that it is not just about teachers’ rights, it is also about ensuring the best possible education for Queensland students.
When teachers and school leaders have the autonomy to adapt their teaching methods to suit their students’ unique needs and Queensland’s diverse communities, they create inclusive and engaging learning environments. Autonomy allows teachers to tailor lessons, assessments, and interventions to address the specific challenges and strengths of Queensland students, ultimately contributing to both equity and excellence.
This has to be supported by the right level of resourcing. The Comprehensive Review of School Resourcing continues. We have been seeking the views of members through branch meetings, schools, and area councils. State Council delegates also get regular updates and seek clarification through State Council meeting commitments.
The For Every Child campaign through the Australian Education Union also continues. We know that our schools remain under resourced. Meeting the needs of all students in our system, smaller class sizes, more guidance officers, school nurses, access to additional medical skills, and the training of behaviour specialists could all occur with a fully funded state education system.
Resourcing for all students should reflect a zero-tolerance approach to occupational violence. The system also needs to be flexible enough to provide support where it is needed. And across our big system with very diverse needs, we should have the right resourcing that maximises learning and minimises disruptions.
Our voice is such a big voice, the reflection of not only the industrial, but also the professional. It is a proud voice. It is our voice. It will remain our voice. #qtuproud