$425m bonus scheme sparks debate

AU – A controversial plan to reward Australia’s best teachers with cash bonuses sparked debate between the Government and education providers.

The $425 million National Rewards for Great Teachers program headlines the Government’s education package - despite warnings by unions and principals associations that it will divide the teaching workforce.

Under the four-year plan, the top 10 per cent of teachers will be given performance bonuses of up to $8100 a year from 2014.

The payment would be based on NAPLAN test results, lesson observations and parental feedback.

In a further bid to reward quality teachers, $18.1 million will be spent on post-graduate training for those working in high-demand areas like maths and science.

Education Minister Peter Garrett said attracting and retaining “highly qualified people in the teaching” was a top priority.

“It was a good opportunity to confirm that commitment and to reinforce how important education was to this government,” Garrett said.

Teachers and principals have expressed concerns over Gillard’s teacher bonus scheme, saying a “one-off” cash payment won’t help retain good teachers and allowing input from parents will turn it into a popularity contest.

Australian Primary Principals Association president Norm Hart said they welcomed additional investment in teaching, but had concerns about the way the bonus scheme would be calculated.

He said he had “enormous problems” with the use of NAPLAN testing to assess teacher performance and allowing parents to pass judgment on teachers.

“It’s not a popularity vote,” Hart said.

Australian Education Union federal president Angelo Gavrielatos said the Government was mistaken in thinking a one-off bonus was the right approach in retaining good teachers and addressing staff shortages.

“It is not a long-term solution to the problems we have,” he said. Mr Gavrielatos said a similar scheme in the US “failed spectacularly”.