At ACT Parents we support bargaining outcomes that improve conditions for students.
We have previously supported four AEU claims that directly relate to student learning conditions:
- adequate and consistent staffing in schools to meet identified student need
- effective management of teacher absences to reduce disruptions to learning
- safe and settled learning environments for students and staff
- class environments that enable inclusive practice and effective teaching.
Students’ learning conditions are teachers’ working conditions.
But families are also feeling the effects of prolonged bargaining and industrial action.
Students have experienced disruption to teaching and learning, while parents and carers have lost important opportunities to understand their child’s progress and engage with their school.
We are also concerned about the routine use of split, collapsed and flexed classes when schools cannot cover teacher absences. Students should not routinely lose access to their normal class and teacher because adequate staffing is not available.
It’s time to get it sorted.
Parents and carers: add your voice
We’re asking ACT public school parents and carers, and members of the wider Canberra community, to support three clear calls:
Resolve bargaining.
Stop the routine use of split, collapsed and flexed classes.
Protect students’ learning.
Please also share the campaign with your school community, friends and family.
P&Cs: consider our member resolution
We are asking ACT public school P&Cs to consider passing a resolution calling on the ACT Government to give resolution of education enterprise bargaining the urgency it now requires.
P&Cs that endorse the resolution can authorise ACT Parents to include their P&C as a signatory to a collective letter to the Minister for Education.
Read the model resolution and tell us your P&C has endorsed it
We recognise that P&Cs have their own decision-making processes and that it can be difficult to consider a resolution at short notice in the final weeks of term. P&Cs should consider the resolution through their usual processes, including out of session where their rules allow.
At ACT Parents we have been engaging with both the AEU and the ACT Education Directorate throughout the bargaining process. We remain hopeful that a meaningful agreement can be reached soon.
Our message is about what students and families need: improved learning conditions and an end to the ongoing disruption.
It’s time to get it sorted.