Stop treating teachers like mothers – pay them what they’re worth
8 May 2026
The article We treat teachers like we treat mothers. That’s why we don’t pay them what they’re worth[1] highlights a growing issue confronting educators across Australia: teachers are routinely praised for their care, dedication and commitment, while the realities of their work continue to be undervalued.
It is akin to thanking mothers for their care, commitment and sacrifice — a debt of love that can never truly be repaid — while overlooking the inequities and expectations placed upon them.
For IEU(SA) members, this reflects the daily experience of increasing workloads, complex student needs, administrative pressure and growing concerns about workplace safety.
Teaching is highly skilled professional work, yet public conversations often rely on gratitude and nostalgia instead of addressing the structural issues driving educators from the profession. Like many feminised professions, teaching is too often treated as a moral obligation rather than work deserving fair pay, manageable workloads and proper professional respect.
The article also acknowledges the emotional labour educators carry, particularly when responding to student trauma, violence and wellbeing concerns. These pressures are contributing to burnout and workforce shortages across schools and early childhood settings.
IEU(SA) continues to advocate for meaningful reform that recognises the professional expertise of teachers and education support staff. Respect for educators must extend beyond words and translate into safer workplaces, sustainable workloads and conditions that allow members to continue delivering high-quality education to students across the non-government school sectors.
[1]https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260325-we-treat-teachers-like-we-treat-mothers-thats-why-we-dont-pay-them-what-theyre-worth
