Remote state high school parents seek help with teacher shortage

A Year 10 student in central Queensland is moving to a private school because her public high school cannot provide the necessary education due to a persistent teacher shortage. Fifteen-year-old Zara Trevithick felt compelled to change schools, stating, "It's annoying because if there wasn't a teacher shortage, then I wouldn't want to go because I like learning there with my friends." The Biloela State High School, the only public high school in the Banana Shire, has seen its offerings dwindle. Events like the annual athletics carnival have been canceled, and crucial senior subjects, including building and construction and food nutrition, were dissolved earlier this year. Zara's mother, Lacreesha Trevithick, expressed deep concern about the school's future, particularly for her daughter's aspirations in engineering. "I was concerned that there was no plan between now and my daughter going into year 11 that would see any major changes to fix the issue," she said. Another parent, Adam Burling, moved his Year 11 daughter to a boarding school 150 kilometers away after learning that arts and drama subjects would not be offered. The Department of Education acknowledged the situation, stating that "some elective subjects are not continuing while recruitment continues to ensure coverage of core subjects." They also mentioned support for students through distance education, but parents found these alternatives difficult to integrate with existing timetables.

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It's annoying because if there wasn't a teacher shortage, then I wouldn't want to go because I like learning there with my friends.