The Australian Education Union (AEU) is advocating for a new 30.4-hour job-share model in public schools. This initiative aims to provide teachers with the flexibility to work from home while ensuring students continue to attend school five days a week.

“Our goal is to encourage the state government to launch a trial that offers genuine flexibility for public school staff. This would allow them to have reduced on-site hours and the opportunity to work remotely,” stated Mullaly.

The union believes that this approach could attract more individuals to the teaching profession, which is currently experiencing a staffing shortage.

Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll praised the state’s educators, describing them as some of the “best in the nation.”

“Our teachers warrant wages and conditions that are competitive on a national scale,” Carroll emphasized.

However, the Australian Principals Federation expressed concerns about implementing this proposal. The federation pointed out that teaching is inherently a social profession, and being physically present at school is a crucial aspect of the job.

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