ONGOING staff shortages which have led to teachers from UK agencies being flown in to cover vacant posts are a product of the government’s ‘sticking plaster’ approach, a backbench politician has said.
Deputy Rob Ward, who worked as a teacher before moving into politics, said he believed little had been done to address the issue since the Scrutiny panel he chaired published a review into teaching in 2020.
The Reform Jersey politician was speaking after the government confirmed that teachers from UK agencies were currently working in Island schools and would be employed across the remainder of the academic year.
Children’s and Education Minister Inna Gardiner said ‘fewer than five’ supply teachers from the UK would be completing contracts at the end of the current term, while a similar number would be employed between January and July next year.
Deputy Ward said: ‘This is still a significant amount, and having a supply teacher is not the best option for students.
‘If we are having to go to the UK for staff, what are we doing with our own staff recruitment and retention? Many of the issues that we highlighted never seem to have been addressed.’
Published in August 2020, the review by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel cited a heavy workload, which was leaving some teachers working for more than 60 hours per week, and a need for more support for those in the profession.
The review also highlighted recruitment challenges caused by the high cost of living in Jersey, an issue that Deputy Ward said had become significantly worse.
‘Government after government have seemed unwilling to take any action to deal with cost-of-living concerns,’ he said.
‘None of what’s been done has tackled the long-term issues that exist.
‘They’re just using a sticking plaster to cover a gaping wound.’
Responding to a JEP request to outline the extent of the use of supply teachers, Deputy Gardiner issued a statement via the government press office saying: ‘Out of roughly 900 teaching staff, there are currently fewer than five teachers employed via an agency, who will complete their contract in December.
‘In addition, fewer than five supply teachers from UK agencies have been recruited to begin work for two terms from January 2023 until July 2023 – they will also provide two to three weeks of teaching during December, during which time they will be accommodated in hotels.’
Deputy Gardiner said that residential accommodation was currently being arranged for the UK staff who would be employed during the spring and summer terms.
Mark Oliver, of the National Education Union, said the lack of teaching capacity in schools had been a matter raised by the union during a meeting with Deputy Gardiner and Chief Minister Kristina Moore at the start of the current term.
He said: ‘We have relied on UK staff moving here in the past and filling shortages in teaching posts, mainly in secondary schools, but with the high cost of living and rental/property market, Jersey is no longer as attractive a proposition.’
