The Wire

Students studying education have lower literacy and numeracy levels compared with 20 years ago. These are the results of research done at the Australian National University which points to declining pay and rising inequality with other professions for the drop in standards. The Federal Government is calling for more incentives for teachers, including merit-based pay, which would reward teachers according individual performance. But the Teacher’s Federation has long been opposed to this idea. Maree O’Halloran is the President of the NSW Teacher’s Federation and she joins us on the line now.