Student-free days: PV media comment

An article in today’s Age focuses on a call from the Australian Education Union (AEU) for more student-free days at public schools, to allow teachers more time for curriculum and professional development.

Parents Victoria CEO Gail McHardy is quoted in the article (see below).

According to the article, “Victorian public school teachers want twice as many student-free days, with the main workplace union pushing for 10 curriculum days during term time each year…(AEU) Victorian branch president, Justin Mullaly, said excessive workloads – along with low pay – were one of the biggest factors pushing teachers out of the profession and that the extra student-free days were vital to easing the burden.”

Gail McHardy is quoted as follows:

Parents Victoria spokeswoman Gail McHardy said her group was not opposed to more student-free days, but they would have to come with improved support for parents.
McHardy said even the present number of curriculum days placed considerable strain on parents working full-time and struggling with the rising cost of living.
“If the Victorian government supports increasing the number of student-free or curriculum days, then it must also fully fund public schools to implement them properly,” she said.
“That means resourcing schools to allow students to attend on those days, with appropriately qualified staff available to supervise and support them, while teachers undertake the planning and professional work required of them.”

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