A rally held in Albury was attended to by over 250 local teachers who vocalised their concerns demanding better wages and conditions.
Teachers are among public sector workers including nurses, paramedics and transport staff pushing for a pay increases above the 2.5 per cent cap in place since 2011.
“This is what we deserve because we deserve more than thanks!” Corowa Public School teacher Anna Brewster told the sea of red at the Albury Entertainment Centre.
“We do not value our teachers enough and we do not value our children enough. Every student deserves to have their needs met.”
NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said the NSW Premier has failed students, their parents, and the teaching profession.
“We took industrial action today because we care deeply about the education that every child in every public school receives,” he said.
“Despite our teachers’ best efforts, hundreds of classes are being combined every day.
“Thousands of students are being left in playgrounds with only minimal supervision on a regular basis. To say their learning is being disrupted is a massive understatement.
“One of the most fundamental roles of a government is to ensure there is a qualified teacher in every classroom with the time and support to meet the needs of each child.
“Our children can’t put their education on hold and wait for the Premier and his Government to stop ignoring their needs. They need real action now.
“The Perrottet Government cannot be allowed to make the schoolchildren of tomorrow pay for the neglect of sound policy and planning by the politicians of today.
“Acting on uncompetitive salaries and unsustainable workloads is the only way to stop more teachers leaving and to attract the people into the profession we need to fix the shortages. This is an investment in our children’s futures.
“Our children are relying on us. We have a responsibility to them and we will not let them down.
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