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[CULTURE] · Australia · 3 sources

Learning support assistants face workload issues due to staff absences

learning support assistants teacher workload staff absenteeism education system workplace exploitation

Learning support assistants in primary schools are facing increased fatigue and workload due to high rates of staff absence. In one reported case, approximately 20 per cent of rostered assistants are on sick or personal leave on any given day.

Unlike teachers, who are typically replaced by relief staff when absent, learning support assistants are often not replaced. This requires attending staff to continuously cover the duties of absent colleagues to ensure the school day runs smoothly.

Dr. Meghan Stacey, an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, noted that the perceived value of the work can make these staff members targets for exploitation. She suggested that while teacher workload has received media and policy attention, the challenges faced by learning support staff have received significantly less coverage.

Entities

John Shakespeare · Meghan Stacey · University of New South Wales

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Education funding for learning support assistants: My partner’s colleagues are always off sick. Is it wrong to speak up?; Work Therapy [www.brisbanetimes.com.au]
Education funding for learning support assistants: My partner’s colleagues are always off sick. Is it wrong to speak up?; Work Therapy [www.theage.com.au]
Education funding for learning support assistants: My partner’s colleagues are always off sick. Is it wrong to speak up?; Work Therapy [www.smh.com.au]