FED:ALP's fast-track plan for more teachers

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2010
FED:ALP's fast-track plan for more teachers

ADELAIDE, Aug 10 AAP - Labor wants Australia's best and brightest professionals to
take up teaching with a fast-track program that would launch them into schools after just
eight weeks.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the $16 million Teach Next program while campaigning
at her former high school in Adelaide on Tuesday, saying many professionals were put off
switching careers by the time needed to secure qualifications.

"Today I announce a plan to bring the best and brightest into teaching," she told reporters
at Unley High School.

She addressed her message to people "at a different stage of their lives who had made
some money" and done everything they needed to see their own kids though school.

"They would be able to go into an accelerated course over summer, supported by up to
$10,000 ... and then commence teaching in a structured mentored program over two years."

Teach Next would start with about 450 people from 2012. It aims to reduce teacher shortages
in crucial subject areas such as maths and science and create a teaching workforce with
greater diversity.

"We are short of maths teachers, we are short of science teachers," Ms Gillard told
an audience in her old school library.

Labor would fund about half the cost of course fees for successful applicants.

They would also receive up to $10,000 to support their transition to the classroom
which could be used for relocation expenses and professional registration fees.

Their teaching qualifications would be confirmed over two years through further training
and on-the-job experience.

AAP lk/rl/jsh

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