The federal government plan to ensure every Australian school has at least one teacher specialised in mathematics or science is a good idea that might well remain so, given the already massive shortfall in specialist STEM teachers.
While the practicalities are iffy, the intentions are to be commended according to some experts in the area.
New reports have stated that the plan will require high schools to employ teachers who have studied STEM subjects at university level, and primary schools with more than two or three teachers to employ at least one such teacher.
Dr Anne Forbes of Macquarie University likewise welcomes the plan. “The research is clear that all science and mathematics high school teachers should have deep knowledge of their subject areas,” she said. Imagine your child being taught piano by a ‘music’ teacher who couldn’t read music!
“In NSW, primary teacher education students are able to complete a NESA-recognized teaching specialisation in a priority area, which includes mathematics, or science and technology, so surely we can at least expect the same for high school teachers,” said Dr Forbes.
“The Federal Government’s plan to ensure that all high schools have teachers with expertise in maths and science through study at a university level is to be commended. The trick will be how to recruit and how to monitor compliance.”