Teachers cut corners in class preparation and marking work out of necessity because of the extent of work demands. So says a survey carried out by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Most teachers are unhappy with their work as they feel the high workload means they are not able to offer the quality of teaching that they otherwise could. The survey found 72 per cent of teachers had considered resigning due to the extreme pressures of work and 91 per cent felt that they could not develop their professional abilities as they simply had no time or energy left for courses or further study.

Mike Keely, vice-president of the ACTU, says the pressure on teachers has increased massively in the past 15 years and many feel they have to leave the profession as it becomes too demanding. He feels that the findings of the report should increase pressure on the government to reward teachers for their work by paying salaries commensurate with the amount of work they must do.

Education minister Colin Barnett's response to the comments indicates that the Australian government won't be pressurised into considering this survey when it is involved in pay negotiations with teachers' unions.