The State School Teachers’ Union of WA (SSTUWA) want a 7.5 per cent pay rise over three years as workload pressure drives teachers out of the profession.

It comes as a new survey conducted by Curtin University on behalf of SSTUWA found that WA teachers and school leaders are now working longer hours and have less time to devote to student welfare and behaviour.

The Understanding Work in WA Public Schools survey discovered teachers and school leaders were working an average of 50 hours a week at school and at home to keep up with the demand in extra red tape and yet still provide quality education to students.

SSTUWA President Pat Byrne told Oliver Peterson what they are asking for is consistent with minimum wage increases. She says there is also a failure to recognise the increased complexities of teaching.

“Teachers are dealing with a range of issues that are quite different to what was the case 25 or 30 years ago.

“It’s issues around student behaviour, issues around students with special needs, issues around curriculum changes. Teachers are expected to do considerably more work.”

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