Acknowledging the invaluable contribution teachers make to our community, Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright, encouraged Australians to thank teachers for their excellent work on World Teachers Day.

“A good teacher can make such a difference to a child’s education – not only teaching the fundamentals but also inspiring and encouraging them to reach for the stars,” Senator Wright said.

“Today is a day to thank our teachers for all their hard work, and to consider how we can support them to better do the important job we ask them to do – educating the next generation of Australians.

“We must ensure teachers receive adequate support and time to prepare their lessons, pay them a fair wage and provide them with a career structure that reflects the importance of their role.

“Increasingly, we have been requiring many teachers in the public schools to deliver results in a chronically underfunded system.