School budgets slashed by $148 million as deputies forced back to classroom

“At the same time, more school flexible funding has been used to pay for a significant increase in additional executive positions in schools, which has put pressure on the teacher shortages our schools face,” he said.

About 4000 assistant principal, deputy head and executive backroom teachers have been appointed since the Local Schools, Local Decisions policy was launched in 2012, a controversial reform that meant the bulk of NSW’s multibillion-dollar schools budget was taken away from the department and given to principals.

On Monday, the Herald reported that schools across NSW were facing budget cuts after the government boosted salaries for top-of-the-scale public school teachers from $113,042 to $122,100. New graduates received a $10,000 rise.

The government indicated it would fund the once-in-a-generation increases by reducing executive teachers, consultants and labour hire.

At Davidson High School in Frenchs Forest parents are lobbying the government for upgrades to the school hall, while at St Ives High, parents are being asked to fund wellbeing programs, shade cloths, textbooks and buses.

Schools are also dealing with ongoing teacher shortages, with about 1800 vacancies at the start of this term, down from total full-time equivalent vacancies of 1990 in term 4.

Earlier this year, the department said it was making thousands of calls to teachers who have retired or quit in a bid to entice them back before the school year resumes.

From data provided in February to a NSW Budget Estimates hearing, at least 4000 calls had been made to former teachers and about 80 retired teachers had taken up positions.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car said student outcomes were a priority, and it was essential that teachers spend their time in the classroom.

“This reform will enable us to re-set and get on with the important job of repairing the NSW education system. In doing this, we are asking principals to make decisions that will help schools address the staffing issues they face across the state,” she said.

NSW Primary Principals Association president Robyn Evans said the funding cuts meant tighter budgets for schools which might be incredibly difficult to implement.

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“This is going to be really hard for many schools and we’ll be prioritising teaching and learning in classrooms,” she said. “At the moment, people are asking more questions than we have answers for,” Evans said.

NSW Secondary Principals’ Association president Craig Petersen said the cuts could affect schools planning upgrades to classrooms, playgrounds or other infrastructure.

“It could also affect the number of temporary teachers employed and school learning support officers,” he said.

Opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell said parents will see the impact of budget cuts through the lack of support for their children.

“This government promised that schools would not be impacted by the budget decisions. But we now know that is not the case. For schools midway through the year to be told their budget allocations will be cut is not acceptable, and makes it very difficult for principals to ensure students get the support they need,” said Mitchell.

With Daniella White

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