The ACT Greens are backing local teachers who have asked for urgent and long-term help with a territory-wide staff shortage they say is impacting on student learning.
"When teachers tell us their own wellbeing and the educational wellbeing of students is at risk, we have to listen," said Johnathan Davis MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson on Education.
Almost 80% of ACT public school teachers surveyed by the Australian Education Union have said their school modifies classes at least once a week because of a shortage of staff.
"The Greens welcome the Education Directorate's decision to set up a taskforce to address this longstanding issue, which has no doubt been exacerbated by COVID and our current lockdown," Mr Davis said.
"Teachers say they are drowning in an increasing volume and complexity of work, which is impacting on their mental health and wellbeing.
"This taskforce is exactly the kind of targeted response that can help address a specific issue in our public schools, more than any vague overhaul of the entire system could.
"Similarly to the School Infrastructure Inquiry, which is currently ongoing, we support these kinds of specific and targeted interventions to best support our education system.
"We look forward to the taskforce's work in relation to covering staff absences, improving continuity of education for kids, and improving recruitment processes to attract and retain staff who will be supported and valued over their hopefully long careers in ACT public schools."
