Efforts to minimise bureaucratic hurdles, reduce workloads and foster a supportive teaching environment in schools were unveiled today by the Cook Government.
- Implementing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to streamline teacher workload and improve learning
- Introduction of a range of digital solutions to reduce paperwork and administrative burdens
- A $2.26 million pilot programme for 16 school-based Complex Behaviour Support Coordinators to help teachers support students with disabilities
- Expansion of the Connect and Respect programme to manage out-of-hours communication with public school staff
Efforts to minimise red tape, reduce workload and promote a supportive teaching environment in schools were unveiled today by the Cook Government.
Following a comprehensive review of bureaucratic processes earlier this year, Education Minister Dr Tony Buti has considered the findings of two reports and explored preliminary research into the effectiveness of AI tools in revising policies and procedures.
Recommendations from the Department of Education's Understanding and Reducing the Workload of Teachers and Leaders in Western Australian Public Schools review and the State School Teachers' Union's Facing the Facts report have guided some of the initiatives.
Both reports highlight the increasing complexity of teaching and the key drivers of workload for staff, school leaders and institutions.
The government is considering the use of AI technologies, which have been trialled in other Australian states, to modernise and streamline professional learning, lesson planning, marking and assessment development.
AI can also help reduce teacher workload by automating tasks such as planning field trips, preparing for meetings and drafting correspondence.
Collaboration with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and the independent and Catholic sectors will continue to explore the potential of AI to improve curriculum planning and teaching.
In addition, through extensive consultation and workshops involving unions, associations, principals, teachers and administrators, the Department has identified immediate, short-term and long-term strategies to reduce the burden on public school educators. These include:
- A $2.26 million investment to pilot 16 Complex Behaviour Support Coordinators who work with public school principals to tailor educational programs for students with disabilities and learning difficulties;
- A ground-breaking pilot project, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, to digitise paper-based school forms to facilitate consistent, accessible and efficient online information sharing. Each digitally submitted form saves 30 minutes of staff time compared to its paper-based counterpart; and
- Streamlining the public school exclusion process and improving support to schools.
In addition, the Connect and Respect programme will be expanded to further support schools. This initiative outlines expectations for appropriate interactions with teachers, including the creation of out-of-office templates to set boundaries for after-hours communication.
The overall aim is to reduce misunderstandings, reduce conflict and enable teachers to achieve a better work-life balance.