REGIONAL teachers will meet in protest on Thursday over state government plans to remove educators from the prison system with six jobs in jeopardy across the North West.
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In a move which has NSW Teachers Federation representatives fuming, the government announced it would outsource the delivery of teaching in correctional facilities to third party providers.
It's understood local teachers and Corrective Services employees will take part in a day of solidarity on Thursday, over claims the prison educators would be replaced by unqualified clerks and trainers.
NSW Teachers Federation organiser Rob Long said a senior education officer and two teaching positions at both Glen Innes and Tamworth were in the firing line and the day of action was wide-reaching, with meetings held across local schools and tertiary institutes, along with social media campaigns.
"It's a day of solidarity for teachers right across the state, in primary schools, high schools, TAFE colleges and jails," he said.
"What the government is proposing is a very high-risk strategy of reducing qualified, experienced prison educators and replacing them with clerical positions and outsourcing educators to organisations that don't have any experience in prisoner education." The Federation fears the move could extend to schools and training colleges in the future.
A Corrective Services spokesperson said a review had found the current system of education in the prison system was not sufficiently focused on job skills.
"Under the new system, more inmates will participate in literacy, numeracy and training programs as part of reforms to reduce re-offending and improve the performance of the prison system," the spokesperson said.
"Corrective Services NSW will continue to employ some staff involved in the provision of education and training, and those affected by the change will be considered for placement in alternative, non-teaching roles.”