The senator for the Northern Territory says a $15 million investment in a key organisation getting teachers to the Territory will help address critical shortages.
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Teach for Australia, a not-for-profit organisation providing a two-year employment-based pathway into teaching, will receive the funding to address the transient nature of the Territory and low-socioeconomic regions dealing with the same issues.
Senator Dr Sam McMahon, who lives on a small farm outside of Katherine, said the funding will particularly focus on procuring specialist teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.
"Teacher quality and school leadership are critical in-school factors that can boost education outcomes for students, particularly in regional, remote or disadvantaged communities," she said.
"Our Government is providing $7.5 million to expand its High Achieving Teachers program to encourage more people with in-demand skills, knowledge and experience into the teaching profession.
"A further $7.5 million will enable Teach For Australia to develop a new Future Leaders Program to prepare top-performing teachers for school leadership roles."
Teach For Australia will recruit and train an additional 120 individuals to become teachers in regional, rural and disadvantaged schools.
It has already recruited and placed over 130 participants this year, including 19 in the Northern Territory across 12 schools.
"From 2021, the Future Leaders pilot program will work with teachers who show leadership potential and a commitment to the schools and communities in which they work," Dr McMahon said.
"We want to support passionate teachers to further develop their skills and support them to transition into leadership roles."
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