The NSW Government proposes a one-year teaching diploma for graduates who want to become school teachers. Australian Catholic U, suggests “simple solutions are not always appropriate choices

The NSW proposal occurs in the lead-up to the state election and builds on the local productivity commission’s plan to address the teacher shortage.

The Commission argues the national change from a one year dip ed for graduates to an initial teacher education two-year masters in 2011, had “a negligible impact on student achievement.”

And it suggests that despite smaller enrolments in two year programmes, universities are, “the biggest beneficiaries of the transition to longer postgraduate ITE qualifications,

“the doubling of fees received by universities more than offsets the smaller number  of students enrolled in their courses.”

However ACU education and arts dean Mary Ryan warns against, “rushing graduates into classrooms,

“while postgraduate students had authentic skills and life experiences, they needed intensive training, support, and classroom experience to become effective teachers and school leaders. … We don’t want to see graduates enter the profession only to leave shortly after due to being under-prepared and feeling unsupported for what is complex work.”

ACU’s submission to a NSW Legislative Council inquiry suggested people in mid and late career stages, training to be teachers should complete a masters, but with an option for conditional accreditation and paid teaching roles after six months, while completing their course.

“Flexible MTeach degrees can help serve workforce shortages while maintaining an appropriate level of qualification.”