CLP Promises Pay Rise for NT Teachers

The Country Liberals have unveiled key components of their education platform, including a pay deal that offers teachers a 14% pay rise over 3 years, making the Territory’s most experienced teachers the best paid in the country.

“We need to develop a first-class education system for our kids to fulfil their potential and that means recruiting and retaining the best and brightest teachers,” says Terry Mills, Leader of the Country Liberals.

“The Territory’s future prosperity depends on developing a well educated population. A good education system will produced less crime and anti-social behaviour, better employment prospects for the students and improved long term health outcomes.

“To encourage highly qualified teachers to come to the Territory, the Country Liberals are proposing a new pay scale for teachers with at least 9 years experience, a 4 year degree and a post graduate qualification.

“Teachers on the new T10 pay scale will be the best paid in the country with an annual income of $75, 600. At present teachers in New South Wales top the pay scale in Australia with a possible salary of $75, 352.

“Recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers will be critical if we are to improve the Territory’s sub-standard education performance.

“The Country Liberals would also pay the HECS fees on a year for year basis for teachers who commit to teaching in a regional and remote schools. Extra incentives are needed to encourage more teachers to go to these schools.

“A complementary policy encourages children in remote regions to aspire to a teaching career by guaranteeing them a teaching job on graduation within their region

“We would further commit $250,000 per year over 5 years to the Teach for Australia program developed by Cape York Institute and Macquarie University.

“The Country Liberals also propose an Office of Truancy to deal directly kids who habitually avoid school.

“The Country Liberals would also put in place an SMS alert system for the parents of children who fail to attend school.

“The Country Liberals would also initiate Quality Teacher awards that would see 100 Territory Teachers rewarded with a $1000 bonus for excellence in their work.

“These initiatives complement our policy to recruit an additional 88 specialist primary school teachers across the Territory.

“The specialist teachers will allow class room teachers to concentrate on their core duties of classroom teaching.

“The Henderson Government has alienated the teachers by running a deceitful public relations campaigns and calling an election right in the middle of pay negotiations.

”The Country Liberals value our teachers and have a comprehensive plan to improve education outcomes in the Territory.”

2008-07-22