Teachers — placement transfer points
4816. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Education
(1) Given the introduction of the Independent Public Schools and School Select policies, will transfer points still be used to provide priority transfer as an incentive for teachers who have taught at hard to staff schools?
(2) If yes to (1), what proportion of metropolitan teaching positions will be available for placement of these teachers under this scheme in 2012?
(3) Will redeployed teachers lose any transfer points they have accrued if they take up a position at an Independent Public School?
(4) Will teachers who have accrued a significant number of transfer points be given any guarantee of a metropolitan placement?
(5) What other supports or systems will be established to facilitate the placement of teachers returning to the metropolitan area from rural and remote schools?
(6) Given that the transfer points system is likely to be devalued under the new teacher recruitment and appointment policies, what new strategies are being considered to encourage and reward teachers working at hard to staff schools?
Hon PETER COLLIER replied:
(1) Yes. Transfer points will continue to be one factor for consideration in determining teacher priority for transfer. Other factors include location preferences and teaching areas.
(2) The number of positions available for transfer is dependent on teacher movement within the system and is difficult to project. I am advised that the Department of Education has never determined a proportion of positions for staff transfer.
(3) No.
(4) No, this has never been the case. As per the School Education Act Employees’ (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2008, the only staff guaranteed a metropolitan placement are those leaving the Remote Teaching Service.
(5) The conditions attached to the Remote Teaching Service and the Country Teaching Program will continue to be honoured. In addition teachers are able to apply for all advertised positions.
(6) The presumption in the question is wrong. The transfer points system will not be “devalued”. Transfer points are only one strategy to encourage and reward teachers working at hard-to-staff schools. Others include permanent teacher status, financial incentives and return to the metropolitan area where possible. All of these strategies will continue.