PREPARING TASMANIA FOR THE FUTURE BY SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS

ROGER JAENSCH MP, Minister for Education, Children and Youth

Teachers play a crucial role in ensuring every Tasmanian child and young person is known, safe, well and learning.

That is why the Rockliff Liberal Government is investing in our teachers, with funding in the 2023-24 Tasmanian Budget for additional in-class support, more professional support staff, teacher attraction and retention, and targeted school improvement.

Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Roger Jaensch, said the Government was investing $36.6 million over the forward estimates to increase in-class support to provide more support for teachers.

“This careful and considered Budget provides additional assistance to teachers with 66 extra in-class support positions in 2023, which will increase to 100 in 2025,” Minister Jaensch said.

“A further 25 Education Support Specialist positions will also be introduced in 2023.”

The 2023-24 Budget is also investing an additional $8.6 million over the forward estimates to increase the number of professional support staff available.

Minister Jaensch said this targeted investment builds on existing resource investments to support learners to thrive and assist teachers so they have more time to teach.

The Rockliff Liberal Government has also committed $19 million over the forward estimates to attract and retain teachers.

Minister Jaensch said we know teachers have the biggest influence on learner outcomes, after parents and carers, and we want to ensure we attract the best and brightest.

“This targeted investment includes improved support for early career teachers, builds on the Education Support Specialist career pathway for Teacher Assistants, maximises time to teach, builds on existing incentives for teachers in isolated schools and addresses workload issues,” Minister Jaensch said.

“We are also ensuring teachers receive the mentoring and support they need by investing $15.4 million over the forward estimates to increase senior leadership roles in targeted areas of need.”

This Budget ensures targeted, careful, and considered investment into areas like education, which are vital to prepare Tasmania for the future.