I am pleased that the Viewpoint article (The Leader, August 14, 2008), written by New England Regional Director Des Gorman entitled “Staffing System not dismantled”, is in the opinion page of the paper and is, therefore, not masquerading as fact.

Contrary to Mr Gorman’s claims that the staffing changes are “modest” the changes are, in fact, extremely wide ranging and will ultimately deny all transfer rights to teachers – a significant change in deed.

The changes have not been further improved as a result of discussions with “teachers and school communities” as he claims but as a result of teachers’ industrial and political action and the intent by teachers to have aspects of the case heard in the Industrial Relations Commission.

Contrary to his claim, teachers have lost rights. The right to transfer, the right to utilise their accumulated transfer points and the right to have previous service recognised when seeking permanent appointments.

Mr Gorman also provides his opinion that the staffing of schools will not be adversely affected. He quotes two examples to support this claim.

What he does not reveal is the fact that a number of schools in the New England North West including those at Moree, Narrabri, Wee Waa, Walgett and Lightning Ridge (to name but a few) have had to wait up to two years to fill positions. This included advertising several times in a number of cases.

The use of new codes will further jeopardise priority transfers in areas such as Moree, Wee Waa, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri and Mungindi and this is why teachers have activated their incentive transfer in those areas – increasing the number seeking transfer by over 1000 per cent over the last year as they attempt to exit these schools which so badly need their expertise and experience.

Mr Gorman’s claimed “broader options” will not encourage greater numbers of teachers to apply for positions but rather are more likely to further disadvantage schools which are difficult to staff while some schools, in favoured areas of the state, become more favoured thereby creating and increasing the inequity of educational opportunity for students in many parts of the New England.

Teachers are not prepared to experiment with the educational futures of our students and have firmly rejected opinions such as those of former Victorian based Mr Gorman.

Owen Hasler

NEW ENGLAND ORGANISER

NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION