Australian Education Union sued by former teacher for not helping after she was sacked

The Herald Sun writes about a Victorian country school teacher who is trying to claim back her legal costs from the Australian Education Union, after having to hire two law firms to do what the Australian Education Union refused to do.  The teacher taught at a Victorian country school for five years when the principal decided to launch a "unsatisfactory performance" investigation against her in 2013.  The teacher asked for assistance from the Union, but when she was sacked in May 2014, the Union decided that chances of success were remote.  After the Union refused to help, the teacher decided to hire two law firms and prior to the appeal she negotiated a settlement which saw her reinstated and reimbursed for lost income.

Overworked teachers consider leaving profession, study reveals

According to the Herald Sun, a study has revealed that around one in five teachers are leaving the profession due to increasing workloads.  The Educators on Learning research commissioned by Pearson Education and conducted by First Point Research discovered that Australian teachers are devoting an extra eight hours per week to finishing their work and also are spending 20 per cent of their time during school holidays going to work or working from home.

Teachers ‘too overwhelmed’ with special needs children, telling the other kids to tutor each other

The Daily Telegraph reported that the New South Wales state school system is  “failing” students who need the most help.  A New South Wales Parliamentary Enquiry has revealed that teachers are being assaulted by students and other students with behavioural problems are interrupting classes due to a lack of support.

Private schools go to China to lure $40,000 fee-paying students

According the Financial Review, 54 private schools are on a recruitment drive in China to entice Chinese students to come and study in Australia.  They are looking for students to boost academic results and to charge $11,000 in extra fees.  Some schools are found to be charging $40,000 per year for tuition.  If boarding or other charges are included, then a single international student could be paying $70,000 per year.

Teachers must ditch 'neuromyth' of learning styles, say scientists

According to the Guardian, teaching children to their individual learning style does not improve any results and should be replaced with an evidence based model.  Thirty eminent academics from neuroscience, education and psychology have voiced their concern about this model and state that it does not actually improve anything.