Questions asked by the independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson MLA have revealed the number of senior and executive officers within the ACT’s Education Directorate has more than tripled over the last 15 years, while the number of teachers in ACT public schools has increased by just 26 per cent.

Mr Emerson said this workforce shift raises serious questions about the ACT Government’s education investment decisions.

“While the number of public school teachers in the ACT has grown by just 26 per cent in the last 15 years, the number of senior education bureaucrats grew by 228 per cent,” Mr Emerson said.

“Teachers have been on strike calling for better pay, conditions and minimum staffing standards in our public schools. Classes are being split and collapsed because we don’t have the workforce required to put a teacher in front of every class, every day. Many school principals have been told budget cuts are on the table for 2027.

“Meanwhile we’ve seen an absolute explosion in recruitment of senior and executive officers within the directorate.”

Mr Emerson acknowledged the Future of Education: One Public Education System and Strong Foundations reforms meant the Education Directorate was taking on a larger decision-making role for Canberra’s public schools, but noted that much of the increase in the number of non-school-based senior and executive officers had occurred before this work commenced.

”This workforce data raises serious questions about the prioritisation of funds in the education portfolio over the last 15 years,” Mr Emerson said.

“Public school enrolments have declined year-on-year for the last five years, suggesting parents are starting to turn away from our public education system.

“Teachers are getting burnt out by a system that increasingly expects them to do more with less.

“How can the ACT Government justify ballooning expenditure on senior bureaucrats while school budgets are facing cuts and teachers are on strike?

“Families will rightly be asking why more investment hasn’t gone where it’s most needed – in their kids’ classrooms.”

Mr Emerson’s questioning revealed a 45 per cent overall increase in school-based staff between 2011 and 2026 compared to a 180 per cent increase in non-school-based staff.

MEDIA CONTACT: Will Devine | 0402 183 296 | [email protected]

BACKGROUND:

You can find Mr Emerson’s questions and the Education Minister’s responses here.

The Education Directorate’s latest annual report shows average salaries for executive officers are $275,714 for women and $243,944 for men. Average salaries for senior officers are $150,969 for women and $157,091 for men. For teachers, the average salary is $122,812 for women and $121,003 for men.