Rural teaching plan unveiled by gov
Teachers in regional and rural schools can now apply to join a new leadership program that aims to develop the next generation of school leaders.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan today announced the opening of applications for the Future Leaders Program pilot in Western Australia.
The Future Leaders Program will provide individualised coaching and support as well as a professional peer network for teachers working in regional, rural and remote schools.
“The evidence shows that teachers have the biggest in-school influence on education outcomes and that’s why the Morrison Government continues to support teachers to do their important job,” Mr Tehan said.
“The Future Leaders Program is part of the Coalition Government’s $15 million investment to address shortages in high-quality school leaders and specialist teachers.
“This initiative delivers another Coalition Government election commitment to support aspiring school leaders in regional, rural and remote schools.”
Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education Andrew Gee said the Future Leaders Program had been specifically designed to address the challenges faced by regional, rural and remote teachers.
“The Australian Government has been working closely with country communities, through Teacher For Australia, to break the cycle of education inequality and address the leadership gaps and challenges regional teachers face,” Mr Gee said.
“The Future Leaders program will cultivate the school leaders of tomorrow and ensure that teachers and schools in regional areas are able to gain access to the same level of support as those in the big cities.
“This program will also help to keep teaching talent in regional areas, so that communities benefit from the skills these teachers bring.”
Teach For Australia CEO Melodie Potts Rosevear said feedback from the sector had identified two key areas for the pilot to tackle.
“One key area is the supply and scarcity of ready school leaders; and the other is the need for teachers and aspiring leaders to be able to access quality development opportunities that are contextually relevant to the regional, rural or remote communities where they teach,” Ms Potts Rosevear said.
“We know that the two key levers that positively impact educational outcomes for our students are teacher quality and leadership, so it is vital schools are continuously developing a pipeline of high quality leaders.
“Teach For Australia has more than a decade of experience supporting schools with teaching and leadership development programs and we’re very pleased to bring our expertise to this new opportunity for our rural and remote teachers.”
Applications are now open for Western Australian teachers, with more jurisdictions to follow. Teachers and schools interested in the pilot program can contact Teach For Australia at www.teachforaustralia.org/future-leaders-program.