Cootamundra MP, Steph Cooke has advocated for the area’s teachers. She’s now celebrating better employment benefits for the state’s regional, rural and remote teachers than ever before, due to a complete overhaul of the incentive system in NSW public schools.
Ms Cooke said the government has worked with teachers and stakeholders to improve systems.
“It is important that we support our teachers and encourage more to move and work in regional areas, and a fair and flexible incentive system helps make this possible,” Ms Cooke said.
“The updated incentives will strengthen the supply of quality teachers in our region now and into the future.”
The NSW Government has committed $15 million to action initiatives immediately in response to the Incentives Review, including:
• Increasing recruitment bonuses to make schools located in the hardest-to-staff parts more attractive;
• Giving more employees the opportunity to experience regional NSW by doubling the number of Teach Rural scholarships to 120 per year, and expanding the investment in the Rural Experience Program to fund up to 50 places from 2022;
• Expanding eligibility so temporary teachers can receive incentives like the Rural Teacher Incentive, Retention Bonus, and Experienced Teacher Bonus;
• Working alongside the Teacher Housing Authority to upgrade, repair and build new accommodation for teachers in areas of high demand.
Principals, teachers, key education stakeholders and education experts will begin developing longer-term initiatives.