MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has backed a grass-roots campaign for community-based early childhood educators and teachers to receive fair pay and proper funding.
Mr Moylan was on hand at Wednesday’s Day of Action outside NSW Parliament, when hundreds of teachers, educators and supporters gathered to demand pay parity and recognition for the important work they do.
On Tuesday in Parliament, Mr Moylan called on the NSW Government to act so early childhood teachers and educators in community-based pre-schools are paid the same as their government-employed counterparts.
“Community run pre-schools are fundamental to our regional towns,” Mr Moylan said.
“I spent six years as a volunteer member on the committee of the Moree Pre-School Inc and saw first-hand how important dedicated teachers and educators are to our kids’ learning.
Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole stood with teachers, educators and supporters at the Day of Action outside NSW Parliament on Wednesday.
“But these hard-working teachers and educators in our community-based pre-schools in the bush aren’t being treated fairly and are currently earning up to 35 per cent less than government pre-schools.
“This is completely unfair and it’s not good enough,” he said.
“The Minns Labor Government needs to step up properly recognise and respect the vital role community pre-schools play in our kids’ early education.
“They deserve fair pay and proper respect, not empty promises.
“I will continue to advocate for our pre-schools in NSW Parliament because they are so crucial to our communities across the Northern Tablelands,” Mr Moylan said.
On Tuesday, more than 500 early childhood teachers and educators, parents, children and supporters – dressed in pink – gathered at the top of Martin Place, opposite NSW Parliament House, to bring the fight for fair pay to the attention of politicians.
Staff in community pre-schools earn up to 30 per cent less a year than their counterparts in schools with similar qualifications and roles, and 15 per cent less than staff in long day care centres.
Community pre-schools are staffed by professional and experienced teachers and run by volunteer committees of parents whose only priorities are children’s education and safety.
Independent Education Union of Australia branch secretary Carol Matthews said funding for community pre-schools is derived only from the NSW government and parents. On average, more than 80 per cent of funding received by community pre-schools is spent on wages.
“The NSW Government has rejected our request for increased funding for wages for teachers and educators after months of bargaining,” Ms Matthews said.
“Without an increase in NSW government funding to lift pay and conditions, community preschools may be forced to cap enrolments, increase fees for families and, in some cases, close entirely.”
“To address the gender pay gap, community pre-schools need funding support from the NSW Government,” Ms Matthews said.
