From The Point: Education Support Staff inform AITSL about their crucial roles

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has heard from IEU members about the critical role of teaching assistants.

In online forums on February 19 and 20 teachers and teaching assistants provided feedback to help AITSL develop guidelines to support the optimal deployment of teaching assistants as part of Action 21 of the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan (NTWAP): Identify the most effective use of initial teacher education (ITE) students, teaching assistants and other non-teaching staff.

AITSL was keen to be informed about what does and doesn’t work for teaching assistants in order to be inclusive and collaborative as they establish the guidelines.

While teachers’ ranks have grown by 62% since 1990, the number of Teacher Assistants (TA) has risen by nearly 300% and there are now more than 105,000 assistants employed in Australian schools. The ‘average’ demographic for this workforce is women aged in their mid-40’s with a Certificate III or IV.

AITSL sought input on training, work practices and work which reduces teacher workloads, details of timetabling and work tasks, clarity of TA roles and relevant training.

Asked to contribute at short notice, IEU members made a strong impact.

IEUA Assistant Federal Secretary Veronica Yewdall thanked the participants for their involvement, saying, “IEU members are always so impressive in the way they understand and can articulate the issues. We are extremely grateful that you were able to share your expertise and give of your time to communicate such important messages so clearly.”

The NTWAP was developed to address the national issue of teacher workforce shortages. It was developed following consultation undertaken with unions, principal associations, and other education stakeholders in 2022.  

The federal IEU consulted with state branches to ensure all relevant cohorts were well represented at the online forum.

The IEU will continue to ensure our members’ voices are heard in such forums which will help shape education policy, and therefore working conditions for all employees long into the future.