Mrs PENFOLD (Flinders): Will the Minister for Education and Children's Services advise if it is possible for provisional teacher registration to be given to university students graduating mid‑year to ensure that they can take up contracts in schools in regional areas? I am advised that there are several schools in rural areas that want to offer teaching contracts to graduating students. However, as university and DECS staffing time lines do not dovetail, full registration will not be possible for some two to three weeks into term 3, thereby disrupting classes. I understand that precedents have been in place in some schools previously, and schools and the new teachers would appreciate it if provisional registration could be implemented immediately where required.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Minister for Education and Children's Services): I thank the member for Flinders, because she often has creative solutions to problems. I am not sure when their graduation point is in the calendar and how much time there is for police checks and necessary credentialling to take place, but I will certainly ask the Teachers Registration Board whether there is any way that the process can be speeded up, because I can understand the honourable member's point. It would be a pity if there were suitable teachers who were qualified and about to get registration but who were unable to teach until two weeks into the term. I will certainly look into that and get back to her as soon as possible.

REPLY GIVEN BY MINISTER 20 JULY 2004

In reply to Mrs PENFOLD (2 July 2004)

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: Provisional registration is not an interim form of registration and can only be granted when all qualification and screening criteria are met.

Given the difficulty with graduation and staffing timelines, the Teachers Registration Board has initiated a range of strategies in partnership with the universities and employees to process applications from graduating students who have offers of employment commencing Term 3, 2004.

The universities have advised the Board that final academic transcripts will be available prior to their official release dates. Therefore, providing graduating students have already submitted an application for registration and all other requirements have been met, registration will be immediately granted on the receipt of an official academic transcript. It is anticipated this should occur prior to or within days of the commencement of Term 3. The Board will liaise with employers to ensure suitably qualified teachers are able to commence their teaching career at the earliest opportunity.

Back to Speeches

E-mail address: flinders.portlincoln@parliament.sa.gov.au