Parents can expect further disruption when school returns next year if the government fails to meet teachers and principals demands for better salaries and work conditions.
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Thousands of teachers walked out for 24 hours on Tuesday as news figures showed the number of vacant teaching positions in NSW had increased to 3000.
Of those, at least 79 vacancies are in the Illawarra - Wollongong High School has the most vacancies (five) followed by Dapto Public, Mount Warrigal Public and Albion Park Rail Public all short four teachers.
Woonona-based NSW Teachers Federation deputy president Henry Rajendra said he hoped the parents, teachers and students would not face further disturbances next year.
"The solution was always in the hands of the government and they failed to act and address the fact they have contributed to the teacher shortage across the state," he said.
"Noting that the teachers award is due to expire at the end of the year, the government left teachers with no option but to take action now.
"We have exhausted all avenues to resolve this and the government has continually failed students, teachers and public school students."
The strike was met with mixed reactions from Illawarra parents. Some claimed teachers are "leaving their jobs in droves because they are being bullied to get their COVIC-19 vaccination". Others criticized teachers for the timing of the strike and said "they have a hide to walk out now for better money after everything the rest of us have been through with COVID."
Others went out in support of the teachers and principals and their extensive workload that stretches over the evenings, weekends and school holidays.
"There are three teachers in my family and I am well aware of the extra, unseen, hours they put in," a Wollongong resident said. "Add to this their conditions while at work and you have hard working and dedicated professionals who are deserving of improved treatment."
Regardless of public opinion, Mr Rajendra said this week's action sent a powerful message to the NSW Premier.
"The strike was massive across the state and the government needs to take action and pay teachers what they are worth and give them the time they need to do the work," he said.
"The Department of Education has repeatedly warned the government about growing teacher shortages and how unsustainable workloads and uncompetitive wages are making it harder to attract the teachers NSW needs."
"The idea that a 10-year wages cap is an appropriate response to teacher shortages, rising student enrolments and a 30% decline in the number of people studying teaching is beyond comprehension.
"Teacher shortages exist because other professions have better salaries and the workloads are lower."
As of February 2021 a first-year graduate teacher earns $72,263 a year. Assistant principals and head teachers earn a minimum of $124,038 and deputy principals earn a minimum of $144,822.
New figures also published by the NSW Government show that the shortages are forcing one in five Year 7 to 10 teachers to teach outside their area of expertise. One in three secondary teachers educating children with disabilities are working outside their area of expertise.
In line with the recommendations of the Gallop inquiry, teachers and principals are seeking a salary increase of between five to 7.5 per cent a year to recognise the increase in their skills and begin to reverse the decline in teachers' wages compared to other professions.
As of February 2021 a first-year graduate teacher earns $72,263 a year. Assistant principals and head teachers earn a minimum of $124,038 and deputy principals earn a minimum of $144,822.
An increase in preparation time of two hours a week is also sought to allow teachers more time for lesson planning and collaboration with their colleagues.
The Gallop inquiry found the current levels of preparation time had not changed since the 1950s for secondary teachers and the 1980s for primary teachers.
