Teachers will fight to double the number of student-free days

Victorian public school teachers want twice as many student-free days, with the main workplace union pushing for 10 curriculum days during term time each year.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) also wants teachers to be entitled each year to four professional practice days, which could be taken by one educator at a time or a school’s entire teaching workforce.

The union says the extra days are vital for teachers to get on top of their workloads, but a leading parents group and the state opposition say more days off school will place an extra burden on parents, many of whom already struggle to cope on student-free days.

Thousands of Victorian families with children in government schools must wait until Thursday to send them back to class, as many principals opt for a curriculum day on Wednesday, after schools took Tuesday to let teachers and support workers prepare for the new term.

School leaders have had the option since 2023 of taking up to five days each year as student-free days, or curriculum days.

Now the AEU, which is negotiating with the state government for a new workplace deal for Victoria’s 53,000 public school teachers, wants schools to have the option of up to 10 curriculum days each year and another four professional practice days, up from the present entitlement of one.

NSW raised the number of pupil-free days from six to eight last year. The Victorian branch of the union says its members are working more than 12 hours of unpaid overtime on average each week.

On Tuesday, the union raised the prospect of school strikes this year in pursuit of its goals, saying it was applying to the Fair Work Commission for a protected ballot of its members on industrial action.

The union’s Victorian branch president, Justin Mullaly, said excessive workloads – along with low pay – were one of the biggest factors pushing teachers out of the profession and that the extra student-free days were vital to easing the burden.

“The work of teachers, principals and support staff is becoming increasingly complex as they respond to the growing number of challenging learning and wellbeing needs of students,” Mullaly said.

“Addressing excessive unpaid work means more paid time is available to better plan for and support the learning and development of every student.”

Parents Victoria spokeswoman Gail McHardy said her group was not opposed to more student-free days, but they would have to come with improved support for parents.

McHardy said even the present number of curriculum days placed considerable strain on parents working full-time and struggling with the rising cost of living.

“If the Victorian government supports increasing the number of student-free or curriculum days, then it must also fully fund public schools to implement them properly,” she said.

“That means resourcing schools to allow students to attend on those days, with appropriately qualified staff available to supervise and support them, while teachers undertake the planning and professional work required of them.”

Opposition education spokesman Brad Rowswell said the union’s call was a bad idea and showed “a complete disregard for the impact on students’ learning and for the families who rely on schools every day”.

Belinda Hudak, president of the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals, said it was important for teachers to have time to get on top of their work, but the timing of student-free days could be difficult.

“It’s important teachers have the time to be able to have a look what their class lists are, get to know who their students are and have the required student support meetings so they are fully aware of and across the needs of the students coming into the class,” Hudak said.

“Unfortunately, that’s not always ready at the end of the year, so in having that time at the start of the year schools try to make really informed decisions that suit their school community.

“They are very mindful of the impact on parents and families, but they are making those choices based on student wellbeing and the best outcomes for the kids.”

A Victorian government spokesperson would not say whether the government supported the union’s proposal.

“Negotiations with teacher and principal unions are being undertaken in good faith to ensure the right outcome is achieved for both students and our staff,” the spokesperson said.

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