Latest news

The IEU has started Enterprise Bargaining (EB) by championing a crucial initiative aimed at improving student learning outcomes and alleviating teacher workload.

The union’s claim focuses on three key areas:

• reducing class sizes,
• providing more assistance to manage student complexity, and
• increasing classroom support.

The Problem

IEU members have highlighted several critical issues impacting the education sector:

• • Student Learning and Outcomes: Large class sizes and insufficient support are leading to lower literacy and numeracy results in standardised testing.
  • Teacher Effectiveness: Overburdened teachers struggle with classroom management, individual attention, student engagement and effective instructional strategies.
  • Teacher Workload: Excessive workloads – particularly non-instructional tasks such as behaviour management and administrative follow-ups – are reducing time for planning, marking and drafting.
  • Health and Safety: Teachers and students both face physical and psychological risks due to overcrowded classrooms.
  • Resource Allocation: Larger classes mean fewer resources per student, impacting overall educational quality.

• Inclusion: Ensuring all students, including those with special needs, receive adequate attention and support.

Summary of Proposed Solutions

The IEU’s proposal includes several measures to address these challenges:

1. Class Size Limits:

1. • Years R to 2: Maximum of 20 students

1. • Years 3 to 6: Maximum of 25 students

1. • Years 7 to 10: Maximum of 25 students

1. • Years 11 & 12: Maximum of 24 students

1. • Practical classes: No more than 18 students – considering the nature of activities and equipment used.

2. Workload Protections:
3. • Define group sizes and workload protections for preschools.

1. • Lower class sizes for composite classes or multiple subject year levels.

1. • Regulate workload associated with splitting classes.

1. • Reduce class sizes when students with learning plans, special needs, international students, or CALD students are enrolled.

3. Support for Complexity:
4. • Ensure at least one Education Support Officer (ESO) is present in classes with students with special needs.

1. • Provide teachers with adequate release time for data collection, liaising, and developing individual education plans.

1. • Increase transparency around funding for students with special needs.

4. Autism Inclusion Teacher:
5. • Appoint an Autism Inclusion Teacher in each school, classified and paid at the level of a lead teacher, with one day per week of release time.

The IEU believes these measures will create safer, more effective learning environments and significantly reduce the burden on teachers, ultimately leading to better educational outcomes for all students.

By addressing these critical issues, the IEU aims to foster a more inclusive, supportive, and high-quality education system.