School ban threatens teacher graduation
Posted
Education students at the University of Tasmania are struggling to complete their practical training in classrooms because many schools are refusing to supervise them.
The university sought emergency intervention by the Federal Industrial Commission two months ago, but the problem has not been resolved.
The Tasmanian Education Union began banning student teachers from doing practical training in public schools earlier this year.
It followed complaints from teachers that they didn't have the time or get paid enough to supervise them.
But without experience in the classroom the students can't graduate.
The Federal Industrial Commission ordered the union to drop the bans immediately, but the University's Dean of Education, Professor Ian Hayes, says the issue still hasn't been resolved.
"Some teachers and schools are reluctant to take students because of the initial bans," Prof. Ian Hayes said.
He's worried Tasmanian education students are falling behind their interstate counterparts and is meeting the Teacher Registration Board on Monday to notify it of the situation.
