Union says principals urged to cancel teachers and combine classes as majority of ACT's primary schools blow budget

Australia Broadcast Center

2 days ago

Union representatives say contracted teachers have lost their jobs because of ballooning public school budgets, despite the ACT government promising staff would not be cut.
Last week, the ACT government revealed that 77 of 92 public schools in the territory were either already over budget or would be by the end of the school year.
At the time, Education Minister Yvette Berry said the budget problem would not result in staff losses.
Rather, she said savings would be found within the Education Directorate.
However, Australian Education Union (AEU) ACT branch president Angela Burroughs said principals had been urged to combine classes and cancel teacher contracts, in conversations with Education Directorate staff.
"We have heard instances where the message that's been received is 'rein in your casual staffing budget.'"
She said there was confusion among schools because of poor communication.
"It's a problem that was avoidable and could be easily fixed by just putting out some clear written advice," she said.
"Everything at the moment is verbal briefings, so it's hardly surprising that people are taking away different messages."
In a statement, the Education Directorate denied principals had been given such advice, and said it would work to address "any confusion and misunderstanding".
"We will be providing principals with more information and guidance on implementing budget measures during semester two," the statement said.
The statement said principals had been invited to an information sharing and workshop session, "which will include opportunity for principals to provide input and feedback".
The high number of ACT public schools over budget this year has been attributed to several factors.
A spokesperson for the ACT Principals Association said educating young people had become more complex since COVID-19 and that illness among staff and rising costs also contributed.
Ms Burroughs said many schools had been over budget in recent years, but that this year there were less government funds to assist schools with their shortfalls.
"We understand there have been rolling deficits for at least the last three years, perhaps not as widespread as is currently being experienced, but those deficits have been accommodated through either reserves or advances from government," Ms Burroughs said.
Ms Berry confirmed the government would start a review of the ACT public school system resourcing to ensure it was "equitable for every student in every school".
"The review will provide independent advice on the allocation of resources within the ACT public school system, including the needs of individual schools and supports that can be provided centrally," she said in a statement.
"The review will also consider improvements to budget management systems and processes."