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TAFE Teachers: Facing the Challenge.
- Publication Year :
- 2001
-
Abstract
- Nearly 1,000 technical and further education (TAFE) teachers in Australia responded to a national survey to determine the impact of funding cuts, constant changes, and restructuring on their work and family life. More than 2,000 questionnaires were sent to a random sample of education union members, approximately 1,700 women and 300 men. In addition, 600 questionnaires were distributed to 400 female and 200 male casual and sessional teachers. The survey found that the average age of TAFE teachers is 47, that about 50 percent have children under age 18 at home, that 20 percent have care responsibilities for aged family members, and that women are more likely to be on fixed term contracts or temporary or part-time rates. The survey also found that teachers work an average of 7 to 8 hours of unpaid overtime per week, primarily because of extra time needed for preparation, administration, correction and assessment, and coordination and meetings. The teachers cited funding cuts and constant restructuring as two of the changes that have had the most impact on their workload. Other changes that have most affected their work included reporting and accountability requirements, cuts to teaching staff, and changes in delivery modes and curriculum. A majority of the teachers said that these changes have had a significant negative impact on how they see their work and their professional interactions, as well as on their family responsibilities and family relationships. Part-time and casual teachers reported the greatest difficulties, because they usually had other jobs and had a hard time with the decreased flexibility of TAFE teaching assignments. (KC)
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- ERIC
- Publication Type :
- Electronic Resource
- Accession number :
- ED456289
- Document Type :
- Numerical/Quantitative Data<br />Reports - Research<br />Speeches/Meeting Papers