2000 teachers face chop
5th March 2010
From the Parliamentary Library
Author: John Masanauskas, education reporter
Publisher: News Ltd
Publication: Herald Sun, Page 43 (Fri 5 Mar 2010)
Keywords: Martin (1),Dixon (1)
Edition: 1 - FIRST
Section: NEWS2000 teachers face chop
Misconduct overlooked, but not unpaid registration
THOUSANDS of Victorian teachers face suspension for failing to pay their registration fees, while some teachers guilty of serious misconduct have been allowed to stay in the classroom.
The Victorian Institute of Teaching has warned more than 2000 teachers they will be out in the cold unless outstanding registration and late fees of up to $100 are paid soon.
About half of those teachers are employed in schools, but they will be forced out unless they cough up the money.
Meanwhile, VIT disciplinary panels have been more lenient with some teachers found guilty of serious offences, including inappropriate behaviour towards students.
In a recent decision, a teacher convicted of blackmail involving a gay encounter was given the green light to keep teaching.
In another, a male teacher who sent more than 1700 text messages to an emotionally fragile female student was considered fit to teach provided he attend counselling sessions.
Liberal education spokesman Martin Dixon said yesterday it was over the top for the VIT to suspend teachers for not paying their fees given there were far more serious cases to investigate.
``The VIT should be putting its efforts into suspending teachers who shouldn't be in schools teaching children because of serious misdemeanours,'' he said.
A teacher facing suspension for refusing to pay the late fee accused the VIT of bullying.
``No principal, no school, no government education minister or education department has this absolute power to terminate employment of teachers so abruptly,'' the teacher said.
Australian Education Union state president Mary Bluett said the VIT was acting harshly and should show more flexibility towards teachers who often had a lot on their plate.
A VIT spokeswoman said it was misleading to compare suspension of a teacher's registration for non-payment of fees with disciplinary suspensions.
``In the first instance, the suspension is revoked upon the teacher paying the outstanding fee. In the second instance, the teacher's registration is suspended by a hearing panel for a prescribed period of time, often with conditions imposed . . . before their registration is considered for reinstatement,'' she explained.
The spokeswoman said the VIT took into account exceptional circumstances stopping fees being paid on time, and suspensions for non-payment were common for other regulated professions in Victoria.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said she had confidence in the VIT's registration renewal process and it was important to note that most registered teachers paid their fees on time.
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Martin Dixon MP
State Member for Nepean
Shop 1, McCrae Plaza
Cnr Lonsdale Street and Pt Nepean Road
McCRAE VIC 3938
Phone: (61) 3 5986 6661
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Email: martin.dixon@parliament.vic.gov.au