Page 842 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 20 April 2021
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that they have learned at university works in practice. Pre-service teachers tell us that more time in the classrooms before they get there for real is better, and that is what this program is all about.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, how does the Affiliated Schools Program benefit public schools in the ACT?
MS BERRY: The Affiliated Schools Program is a great way for teachers in our public schools to learn from each other. The beginning teachers that I have spoken with say that they loved the opportunity to learn from more experienced teachers and the more experienced teachers also get to learn the most modern methods from the beginning teachers. The more experienced teachers often tell me that they were thrown in the deep end in their first teaching jobs and that it would have been amazing to have had the same kinds of opportunities that our beginning teachers have with the Affiliated Schools Program.
The program also means that the University of Canberra students have connections with our public schools before they start their careers. Another cool element of the program is the school-based action research projects. These research projects are co designed by the University of Canberra and ACT public schools to answer the questions that schools might have about their teaching and learning. The teachers then do the research themselves, supported by academics. The results of the research are then shared with other schools through professional learning as well as resources and programs based on the evidence that was developed. So the Affiliated Schools Program is all about sharing new knowledge, best practice and experience across our public schools before our beginning teachers start their careers.
MR DAVIS: A supplementary question. Minister, what specific supports are provided, in particular, to student teachers to support them in overcoming barriers in accessing their placement?
MS BERRY: I am not sure of the relevance to the particular program that I am referring to that Mr Davis is after, but in the ACT the government has provided scholarships to ensure that teacher librarians are increased in our school communities. We made a commitment before the election last year that we would engage 50 teacher librarians across our ACT public schools. We do not have 50 teacher librarians at the moment. By allowing teachers with a four-year degree in education to get that extra year of a master’s scholarship, the ACT government is providing a scholarship program to ensure that teachers get support to make that decision to take on the important role of teacher librarianship across our schools.
ACT Policing—resources
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services: the latest report on government services from the Productivity Commission shows the ACT spending less per person in the ACT on policing than it did almost a decade ago. This amount is the lowest in the nation. The Australian Federal Police Association has said in response that, “Our members are tired, worn out and getting sick of having to do overtime just to make sure there are enough officers on duty and will often work
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