Academics, high-performing professionals, and subject matter experts will have an accelerated pathway into a teaching career thanks to a radical overhaul by the NSW Nationals in the state government.
NSW Nationals Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the new pathways were for professionals who had experience in relevant subject areas, or who already had teaching experience in the higher education system.
“The NSW Nationals in the state government are building the country’s best public education system; we have more students enrolled and more teachers employed than ever before. But we need more and we want the best, particularly in certain subjects and parts of the state,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The best and brightest from other professions must be encouraged to become teachers, and right now there are too many barriers to entry.
“We are tearing down these unnecessary barriers to entry. We have incredible teachers in our system already, enjoying fulfilling careers. We are now saying to people outside the profession that you too can be a successful teacher with a rewarding career, and we want you.”
The overhaul will involve a tiered approach – creating new pathways into secondary school teaching depending on a person’s knowledge and pre-existing teaching expertise. Entrants will still receive a teaching qualification and, depending on their teaching experience, aim to be in front of a class and on salary within six months.
The reform will focus of four key features: removing barriers to entry to the profession, bringing people into the classroom faster, supporting transition from a previous career into teaching, and providing incentives for people to make the transition to teaching.
