Why do up to 50% of Queensland teachers leave the profession after only five years in the classroom?

What is it about teaching in Queensland schools that makes so many teachers want to leave?

I've been a teacher for 15 years.

I've noted that there are fewer teachers who last over five years every year.

Of the 45 teachers that I graduated with, there are four left who are still teaching.

The burn-out rate increases constantly.

The Queensland Department of Education does not give staff teaching in certain "challenging areas" enough support.

This is a slow motion train wreck.

And nobody is doing anything about the situation.

Our politicians seem to lack the moral and ethical backbone needed to deal with the situation.

Brett Hayes of Greenslopes, comment 50 of 105 on Part-time teachers disrupting classes, union warns, Natalie Gregg, The Courier-Mail, July 6, 2009.

I know some fantastic teachers who have retired.

Principals beg them to come back to teach, but they refuse.

They will only work on a casual basis.

Why?

Behaviour management problems.

Many students and teachers have to tolerate appalling classroom conditions.

Retired teachers are, quite frankly, fed up with this situation.

Young teachers have time on their side to get out of a workplace that offers them little support and requires them to tolerate abuse on a daily basis.

Jane Alley of Brisbane, Reader's Comment, Sort teaching wheat from chaff, Ross Guest, The Courier-Mail : 20 November 2009

The Queensland Teachers' Union ( QTU ) has been campaigning for better pay for Queensland teachers.

But is the poor pay the main issue that is driving Queensland classroom teachers out of teaching?

Maybe not.

Take a look at Your Real Concerns and make your own mind up!

And a special message for Queensland teachers  -

Is something worrying you at work?

Something that you think may be wrong?

Something that you want to discuss?

Be careful!

Queensland teachers who try to discuss professional issues may find that they are attacked and driven out of work.

Read this Advice for Whistleblowers.

"I don't think there is any doubt whistleblowers are being bullied. ...

This is a systemic problem ...

The agenda is about controlling the public relations rather than fixing the problems," says Queensland opposition education spokesman Dr Bruce Flegg.

Teachers bullied to keep quiet on problem schools, AAP, 30 November, 2009.

Edited by Robina Cosser, M.Ed. (SYD) : robina@theteachersareblowingtheirwhistles.com

Robina is a member of the national committee of Whistleblowers Australia.

Robina appeared in the Today Tonight program "Teachers Marching Out" on Friday 26 February 2010.

Robina's article Dealing With a "Reformed Policy" can be found in the January 2010 edition of The Whistle, the journal of Whistleblowers Australia ( scroll down to page 6 ).

Robina's 4 September 2009 submission to Anna Bligh's Green Paper on Integrity in Queensland can be found on The Premier's Department website and on the Letters page of this website.