- Minister for Education
Students at disadvantaged schools will benefit when high-achieving university graduates, including those with a STEM degree and those from a regional background, are recruited to teach at their school.
The Morrison Government will fund more than 300 new teachers in disadvantaged schools through its $21 million investment in the High Achieving Teachers Program.
Under the program, high-achieving individuals with in-demand skills, knowledge and experience and the potential to become high quality teachers will be provided with an alternative pathway into the teaching profession.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said program participants would receive mentoring and support while being paid to learn on the job at schools experiencing teacher shortages in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
"Our children should be taught by our best and brightest and this program provides alternative pathways into teaching for people who are passionate about education," Mr Tehan said. "We know that within the school environment teachers can have the biggest positive impact on a student’s education and this program will respond to demand experienced by schools in regional areas and low socio-economic communities."
Two providers have been contracted to deliver the Program, with recruitment to commence later this year.
Teach For Australia will receive $14.9 million to recruit high-achieving university graduates, with an emphasis on STEM, over two intakes of at least 120 teaching associates in 2020 and 2021.
La Trobe University will receive $6.3 million to recruit local university graduates including those with a strong commitment to regional communities, over two intakes of at least 40 program participants per intake in Victoria in 2020 and 2021.