The NSW Teachers Federation said there is "no doubt" the federal government's failure to commit to the Gonski education reforms had a negative impact on local teachers and students.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A new study has found Australian teachers are working longer hours and teaching bigger classes, compared to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average.
The Teaching and Learning in Schools Report 2013 revealed Australian teachers are working an average of 42.7 hours, compared to the OECD average of 38.3, as well as doing an additional 7.4 hours of administration or management, compared to the organisation's 4.5 hour average.
Dubbo spokesperson for the NSW Teachers Federation Duncan McDonald said teachers are forced to work into their personal time to prepare for new curriculums.
"When I visit schools I see teachers who are working hard, working long hours. I see teachers cars in school car parks on weekends and in the holidays, I see principals working into the evening," Mr McDonald said.
The report showed average Australian class sizes were also larger- 24.7 students in Australia, compared with the OECD average of 24, and significantly higher than Finland's 17.8 average.
It also found Australia was one of many countries with relatively high numbers of teachers with fewer years of teaching experience, living in rural areas.
However, Mr McDonald said he had no doubt statistics could be improved if the government supported the Gonski reforms until 2017, instead of its current "cost cutting devolution agenda".
"With targeted resourcing and more federal commitment we could see more support for western NSW kids, who are seen as having one of the greatest needs in Australia. It's the only way to address the achievement gap that does exist," he said.
On the positive side, the report found Australian principals have a high level of autonomy, but Mr McDonald said it was a positive the government had abused by selling it incorrectly to the public.
"They have the public believe there's a crisis and the only way to solve it is to give principals the power to hire and fire teachers, but that's not the solution- they already have it."
Mr McDonald said the public system in Australia is world class, it just needs to be better funded.
