Australia

Australian teachers among the world’s best paid

The Australian reports that recent data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reveal that Australian teachers’ wages rose an average 6.1% from 2010 to 2013 in contrast to the 1.8% pay cut across 36 member nations of the OECD including England, Germany and the US. While Australian teachers may be paid more, they also have longer teaching hours and bigger class sizes.

A third fewer school counsellors than needed are working in the ACT

The Canberra Times reports that the ACT has at least a third fewer school counsellors than it needs to deal with the rising number of students in crisis or acute need. National guidelines recommend one counsellor for every 500 students however in the ACT the reality is that there is one counsellor for every 750 students. The Government has ‘agreed in principle’ to adopt the national ratio of 1:500 but maintains that the current ratio compares favourably across all Australian schools.

Student shares graphic nude photos of teacher on social media

In Western Australia, a government school teacher could be facing disciplinary action after extremely graphic nude photos of her were made public by students and shared on social media. WA Today reported that the teacher is understood to have lent a thumb drive to a student, warning not to click on the photos and the matter is being investigated by the WA Education Department’s staff standards and integrity team.

Victorian teacher wins discrimination lawsuit

Nine News reports that a Victorian non-government school teacher will receive $90,000 in compensation following a successful discrimination claim against his former school employer. The school fired the teacher after he began a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old former student on the grounds that he had crossed professional boundaries and possibly groomed the student while she was at the school. It was found that the teacher had suffered isolation and ridicule over a lawful relationship, lost his 30-year teaching career and the respect of his fellow teachers.

NSW Education Minister warns students about Paris attack comments

NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has issued a warning to school students that discussing the recent Paris attacks in a favourable light may result in serious consequences. The SMH reportsthat the warning came after Piccoli announced that an investigation was underway into comments allegedly praising the murder of 129 civilians made by a year 7 student in Sydney’s west.

Education execs paid big bonuses despite declining school performance

The Educator reports that Victoria Education Department executives have been awarded generous performance bonuses despite declining Year 12 completion rates and worsening learning outcomes. The Age revealed that 57 executive staff received bonuses totalling $553,927 for their efforts; each receiving an average of $9,718 while at the same time, senior departmental staff were being investigated by the anti-corruption watchdog.

Top doctor blames anti-vaccination activists for school outbreak

Australian Medical Association WA President Michael Gannon has said that anti-vaccination activists are to blame for an outbreak of the mumps at one of Perth’s most prestigious private schools. WA Today reports that advice of the outbreak was sent by the school to all parents detailing the requirements for booster shots after a number of school events had to be cancelled because of the highly contagious nature of the mumps.

Calls for strict oversight of school banking programs

The SMH reports that banks are facing calls to be banned from promoting Dollarmites-style savings programs in schools unless they are subject to strict regulation. A Senate inquiry into credit card interest rates is set to recommend legislative prohibitions on the use of data collected through school savings programs and an expanded role for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in teaching financial literacy in schools.

International

Violent school transformed by mediation

A school located in a violent and ‘stressful’ area of San Francisco with a history of drug use and gang violence has reportedly been transformed by a meditation program called Quiet Time which began in 2007. The Guardian reports that since the implementation of the program suspensions have reduced by 45% and the school now has a 98% attendance rate.

Hundreds of cameras found during school inspection

ITV News reported that an emergency inspection of a school in England has raised concerns when it was discovered the school was using 700 CCTV cameras. A report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate said its unannounced inspection revealed a concerning number of cameras and an inappropriate use of cameras specifically in the early education areas of the school.