World ’ s best STEM teachers recruited for NSW
More than 500 qualified STEM teachers are being sought around the world to fill positions in NSW public schools .
The government ’ s $ 13.5 million recruitment campaign is targeting standout STEM educators , particularly from the United Kingdom and Canada , to boost and sustain a high-quality teaching workforce .
It is hoped overseas and interstate teachers will “ turbocharge our recovery ” according to Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning , Sarah Mitchell .
“ There are more than 91,000 teachers employed in NSW public schools , and we are opening the door to even more expert teachers looking to teach in our great system ,” Ms Mitchell said .
“ Our system is amongst the largest in the world , and I am confident that by opening the door to more high-quality teachers from other jurisdictions , we will also become amongst the highest performing in the world .”
This initiative builds upon the NSW Government ’ s recently announced new employment-based pathways into teaching , and will further increase our supply of teachers .
“ NSW is an incredible place to live and work - attracting the best teachers from around the world will help turbocharge our recovery from the pandemic by ensuring our students have access to more high-quality teachers … and get ahead ,” Ms Mitchell said .
Under the initiative , 460 teachers will be recruited between 2022-23 , and 100 in 2023-24 .
Working alongside other agencies , including the Commonwealth Government , the Department of Education will help successful recruits with relocation and other support including Australian border control measures , quarantine , and visa requirements .
School arts get spectacular boost
Money set aside for the Schools Spectacular gala will now be diverted into rebuilding school creative and performing arts programs .
With COVID-19 restrictions forcing the cancellation of the annual event , grants of $ 10,000 are now open to schools to boost their own Term 4 digital performance programs .
Launching the Arts Recovery Program , NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood , Sarah Mitchell , said COVID restrictions made it impossible to stage the world ’ s largest variety show .
“ I know for the thousands of student performers , teaching and support staff involved in this extraordinary event this news comes as a blow in an already challenging year for the creative and performing arts ,” Ms Mitchell said .
“ However , we are determined to ensure the students and staff who have already given up so much time have the opportunity to showcase their work , while also providing a state-wide injection of funds into arts education .” Funding earmarked for the show will now be redirected to create digital resources to help students across NSW develop their skills and fund a grants program to help rebuild and reinvigorate schools ’ arts initiatives .
NSW public schools will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $ 10,000 per school to cover equipment , teacher release , expert tuition for students or professional learning for teachers to assist in establishing or rebuilding arts programs .
The grant program will be complemented by the Spectacular Schools Initiative , which will create a high-quality digital showcase of NSW public school achievements in the creative and performing arts .
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 137 // OCTOBER 2021 27