Media Release | 14 June 2025
Liam Staltari MLA
Shadow Minister for Education;
Early Childhood; Disability Services; Heritage
The release of a new survey by the State School Teachers’ Union of WA has revealed that public school teachers across the state are at breaking point.
Nearly 84 per cent of survey respondents have considered quitting teaching in the past four years, with more than 50 per cent subjected to verbal abuse during the last school year, and more than 40 per cent of principal respondents claiming teacher shortages at their school.
Shadow Minister for Education Liam Staltari said the Cook Labor Government has failed to fix this growing crisis.
“These damning results reflect exactly what I’ve heard from teachers at the coalface in our classrooms,” Mr Staltari said.
“Our teachers do a truly amazing job under difficult circumstances, but the reality is that on this Government’s watch, more and more are burning out.
This is because classroom behaviour is getting worse, too many schools are overcrowded and teachers are not getting the respect and support they deserve.”
Mr Staltari called on the Cook Labor Government to get its priorities right and make education funding one of its top priorities in next week’s State Budget.
“It beggars’ belief that as the education sector struggles with a lack of resources, the Government is pushing ahead with a $220 million Burswood Racetrack.
That kind of money would make a real difference in our schools and help prevent an exodus of much-needed teachers.”
ENDS
Media Contact: Marty Lake 0405 068 590
