South Australia's teachers are working in understaffed environments, resulting in overworked employees and a decrease in mental health and wellbeing, according to an Australian Education Union South Australia branch spokesman.
A federal study conducted in early 2022 confirmed that 80 per cent of educators believed burnout was a serious problem in the workforce and 78 per cent of teachers felt symptoms of depression and stress.
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Australian Education Union South Australia branch president Andrew Gohl said he wanted to convince new teachers to consider regional placement and find solutions for large workloads.
"We know that workloads are a major issue in South Australia and there is an existing shortage in teaching staff," he said.
"One in four teachers drop out after five years, and we are wanting to encourage our teachers to stay in our regional schools, too."
At least 55 per cent of educators think to leave their profession earlier than they planned with 80 per cent having taken on more more within their district to make up for staffing shortages.
The AEUSA will travel around regional South Australia as well as in Adelaide to meet with teaching staff in a public forum and brainstorm solutions.
Mr Gohl said he valued meeting teachers face-to-face and would appreciate hearing their thoughts at the upcoming forums.
Australian Education Union members, teachers and interested and invested community members are invited to attend meetings and voice concerns and possible solutions.
The AEUSA will visit 10 locations across the state throughout August with two virtual conferences to meet with primary, secondary, and pre-school teaching staff.
- Wednesday 3rd: Naracoorte South Primary School (5pm - 6pm)
- Monday 8th: Pt Lincoln High School (5pm - 6pm)
- Tuesday 9th: Whyalla Secondary College (5pm - 6pm)
- Wednesday 10th: Central Oval Complex, Pt Augusta (5pm - 6pm)
- Thursday 11th: Northern Festival Centre, Pt Pirie (5:30pm - 6:30pm)
- Monday 15th: Berri Hotel, Riverland (5pm - 6pm)
- Wednesday 17th: Country ZOOM (4:30pm - 5:30pm)
- Thursday 18th: Murray Bridge North School (5pm - 6pm)
- Tuesday 23rd: AEU Adelaide hybrid ZOOM (4:30pm - 5:30pm)
- Wednesday 24th: Mark Oliphant College, North Adelaide (4:30pm - 5:30pm)
- Thursday 25th: Reynella East College, Southern Adelaide (4:30pm - 5:30pm)
The forums will help with the preparation for a period of enterprise bargaining at the end of 2022 and the release of an Enterprise Agreement by early April 2023.
The Enterprise Agreement is updated and renewed every three years and confirmed terms between employers and their staff in the education industry, and the relationship between each employer and employee organisations, including unions.
Guests must register for a session before the meeting through the AEUSA website.
More information is available through 8172 6330.
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