Teaching graduates will now need a credit average in their degree to be able to apply for a job in any NSW public school.
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Graduates will also have to demonstrate a commitment to the values of public education, and show they have superior emotional and cognitive intelligence.
These are just some of the tough new standards the NSW Government’s new Teacher Success Profile (TSP) outlines in a bid to hire only “the best and brightest aspiring teachers”.
Professor Sue Bennett from the University of Wollongong School of Education and NSW Teachers Federation president Maurie Mulheron threw their support behind the program launched on Monday.
“I think what this Teacher Success Profile is doing is actually highlighting how important both of those [academic and non-academic] components are for effective teachers,” Prof Bennett said.
“In lots of ways it 's very competitive already for teacher graduates.
“The criteria that is already being used has perhaps not been made as explicit as they have here.
“We know that it is more than academic ability that people need to be excellent teachers.”
Prof Bennett said all universities wanted to make the public education system the best it possibly can be.
“That’s why we are all interested in initiatives that seek to do that. But we need to see more details about this program as well,” she said.
This view was shared by Mr Mulheron, who said high academic entry standards into initial teacher education were critically important.
“This is a necessary development. Too many universities see education courses as a cash-cow,” he said.
“These new benchmarks announced today clearly signal that at the point of employment, at least, NSW public schools will not employ graduates with a low academic performance.”
Education Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Government planned to consult with principals and teachers.
The new TSP policy will apply to all students commencing teaching degrees from 2019.
“Teaching is not a career that just anyone can do. As the largest employer of teachers in the state, the NSW Government is passionate about ensuring that only the very best graduates end up in the public school system.” Mr Stokes said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Teacher Success Profile will help prepare the next generations for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
The TSP has five main criteria new graduates must satisfy to be considered potential public school teachers.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
