Metropolitan teachers offered incentive to work in remote WA schools for three years in push to solve shortage

Teachers will be encouraged to go bush with a new initiative to promote them to leadership positions — and better pay — if they commit to a regional or remote school for three years. Teachers and school administrators would then be able to return to their previous position in Perth, under the “growing our leaders in regional schools” trial. It will be launched by the State Government on Thursday and aims to reduce a projected staff shortage in classrooms in 2025. Experienced metropolitan teachers keen for promotion will be invited to become principals of regional or remote schools grappling with vacancies. The State Government says the initiative acknowledges regional and remote areas have additional recruitment challenges and aims to alleviate that pressure. “Knowing their position will be held in their metropolitan school, teachers and aspiring leaders will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a regional school, while also sharing their knowledge and expertise,” Education Minister Tony Buti said. A second initiative will support permanent Perth teachers spending a period of three years at a nominated regional school — some offering financial incentives — while also retaining their previous position. “This is a great opportunity for teachers and school staff to experience living in our wonderful regional cities and towns and we expect some will make the switch permanently,” Dr Buti said. “Our government’s draft Regional Education Strategy outlined our commitment to building on the regional workforce by attracting high-quality educators.” He said the trials have been developed in partnership with the Principal’s Federation of WA and the State School Teachers Union of WA, which this week launched its “target 27” campaign aiming to reduce class sizes. On Monday, SSTU president Matt Jarman said that class sizes were exacerbating the teacher shortage that already existed in Western Australia. He said overcrowding was worse in regional and rural areas as well as poorer metropolitan suburbs.