On the NSW Teacher’s Strike
John Stott, the late English author/preacher/theologian quotes Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple in his chapter on industrial relations in ‘Issues Facing Christians Today’:
“The worst horrors of the early factories have been abolished, but the wage earners are not yet fully recognised as persons, for… the "workers" usually have no voice in the control of the industry whose requirements determine so large a part of their lives… Every citizen should have a voice in the conduct of the business or industry which is carried on by means of his labour.”
I know first hand the labour of public school teachers. I see the 55+ hours per week and all of the preparation, planning, marking, and administration that happens outside of the 6 hours per day of upfront teaching and playground duties (with only an allowance for a 30min break in a 6.5 hour school day).
I see the passion for shaping the lives of young children and hear the joy in the stories of concepts grasped, skills acquired, friendships forged and the delight of learning. I sit with the exhaustion and the frustration of administrative overload and unreasonable parental expectations and the wondering if it really is worth it after all.
I see the cost of resources that are purchased out of teacher’s own pockets because schools are underfunded but they want to give their students the most engaging learning. I feel the anger of another thoughtless comment of “teachers only work 40 weeks a year” or that “they’ve just had 5 months off, what more do they want”; comments made, not having seen that in the last 5 months those 55+ hours per week crept up to 65-70+ as teachers who are experts at incarnate, in-class learning, had to adjust once again to online delivery and digital tools whilst attempting to serve their students as best as they were able.
Stott consolidates Temple’s argument by saying:
“Christians will agree that at the very least there should be a procedure of consultation, and, more important, that this should not be a piece of window-dressing but a genuine discussion early in the planning process which is reflected in the final decision.”
Our teachers have been consulted (cf. Gallop report) and they have consistently reported that they are overworked, overburdened with administration, under-resourced, underpaid in comparison with other 4-year-degree professions, and at high risk of burnout and leaving the profession that they love.
Yes, I am selfishly invested. Many of those closest to me are teachers who I care for deeply. But I am also invested in good public schooling (and health, transport, etc.) for the good that it brings to all children and households in our State.
This is not THE definitive political position, far less a definitive Christian position. There will be other good positions one can take. But for what it’s worth, this is why #Istandwithteachers and believe they deserve #MoreThanThanks.