- More than $15 million funding to continue the Regional
Attraction and Retention Incentive in 2024 to assist schools with staffing in
regional and remote schools
- A total of 66 regional and remote schools delivering
secondary education to benefit from the initiative, up from 48 last year
- Funding will continue the successful initiative rolled out in
2023
The Cook Government has allocated $15.49
million to assist more schools in regional and remote areas in 2024 with the
recruitment and retention of staff.
Minister for Education Dr Tony Buti
said the successful temporary Regional Attraction and Retention Incentive package
- initially rolled out earlier this year - will now be applied to more schools
next year. He said an additional 18 schools would be included, taking the total
to 66 schools to benefit from the initiative.
The incentive supports schools to
attract, recruit and retain teachers and school administrators to schools
delivering secondary education in regional areas, by providing additional
financial incentives.
Eligible staff members will receive
between $5,000 and $17,000 for teachers and school administrators working in
rural and remote public schools for the 2024 school year.
The incentive will be paid in two
instalments. The first will be paid at the start of the 2024 school year, or when
staff commence at the school if it is later in the year. The remaining balance
will be paid to staff remaining at the school at the end of the 2024 school
year.
In 2023, the temporary Regional
Attraction and Retention Incentive was allocated to 48 regional and remote
schools. These schools saw a significant reduction in teacher resignations by
up to 75 per cent.
For 2024, an additional 18 schools
will have access to the incentive, bringing it up to 66 schools who will
benefit.
Comments
attributed to Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Schools in regional and remote
areas face additional challenges when recruiting and retaining teachers, and
this incentive will alleviate some of that pressure.
"I'm pleased to announce that the Cook
Labor Government is not only continuing the Regional Attraction and Retention
Incentive in 2024, but expanding it, so that an additional 18 schools
delivering secondary education will have access.
"This significant investment will
bring greater continuity for regional and remote students, their families, and
the whole community.
"We have made this announcement well
ahead of the 2024 school year, so that teachers and school administrators have
time to consider their options for the new year, and apply for vacant positions
in regional and remote schools.
"We continue to look at other ways
to build a pipeline, and attract qualified teachers for other schools,
including education support settings."
