The Government is employing up to 5,500 additional staff to deliver small-group teaching at every NSW government school, as well as non-government schools with the most significant levels of need.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said people in NSW are working hard to recover from the pandemic, and the Government is committed to ensuring students’ educational outcomes continue to improve in 2021.

“2020 has been a tough year, particularly for our students and teachers who did an incredible job despite a disrupted year that included seven weeks of remote learning due to COVID-19, and in some areas that came on top of bushfires and floods,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The Department of Education will support schools to identify students who would benefit the most from this intensive support, tailoring it to their requirements.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell today called for educators across the State to express their interest in being part of this historic effort including; casual and retired teachers, final year teaching students, and university tutors including PhD candidates who are already teaching undergraduate classes at university.

“We know that learning for many students stagnated during the pandemic and tuition in small groups will help re-engage our students in their schooling,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This program is designed to have maximum impact on student outcomes, because small-group tuition rapidly accelerates student learning.”

NSW Ttreasurer Dominic Perrottet said the program would see a boost in employment for casual and part-time teachers and university tutors.

“This program will not only support our students in their education but will also provide unprecedented employment opportunities for qualified teachers and university tutors who may be short on work,” Mr Perrottet said.