Teachers and school staff in remote communities will be paid an extra $500 to stay there over the Easter holidays.
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The NT Government has unveiled a Remote Community Schools Package, to incentivise teachers and school staff not to leave their communities for the upcoming term break which officially begins in the Territory tomorrow.
This will not include Katherine teachers, the NT Government confirmed today.
"The remote incentives are available only to those teachers who reside in the designated biosecurity areas," a spokeswoman said.
Otherwise departing teachers face being quarantined outside the communities for 14 days under current rules.
The Remote Community Schools Package is available to all Territory Public Sector employees employed in schools and who reside in the designated area outlined by the biosecurity measures in response to COVID-19.
Eligible employees will receive:
- A $500 retention payment for staff remaining in community for the period April 9- April 20. This is in addition to any existing retention payments applicable within the relevant current Enterprise Agreement.
- Unused Fares Out of Isolated Localities (FOILS) retained for use before June 30.
- An additional day of leave to conduct personal business for Classroom and Senior Teachers to use by the end of 2020.
- Additional wellbeing support for staff, including three additional individual sessions and group sessions for all schools.
Remote school staff who choose to travel outside of their community, will not be eligible for the Remote Community Schools Package and will need to self-quarantine at their own expense prior to returning to community and use their accrued leave or take leave without pay.
Education Minister Selena Uibo said: "I appreciate that staying in community may be challenging, however, our teachers are seen as role models in communities and so I ask that all school staff please lead by example to help us protect the lives of our most vulnerable Territorians.
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"We have implemented tough measures, including strict border control and enforced quarantine for interstate and international arrivals, to prevent the spread of coronavirus across the Territory but we need our remote community residents to help us in this effort.
"Our remote teachers are some of our most passionate educators, and we hope this incentive to stay in community throughout the holiday break goes some way to helping them through this unprecedented time.
"Through the Department of Education's Logistics Team, we will ensure that supply chains and emergency needs are met for employees and their school communities while these travel restrictions are in place."
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