Established in December 2001, the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) was set up with the stated aim of regulating and promoting the teaching profession in Victoria.
Six years later, Teachers Alliance believes that it’s become obvious that the VIT has no useful role to play in assisting teachers in any way.  Historically, the AEU (and formerly the VTU, VSTA, TTUV and FTUV) has fought for and won improved pay and conditions for teachers, properly qualified teachers and generally improved the status of teachers in Public Schools.  We believe that the AEU should withdraw all support from the VIT and instead campaign for changes that would really benefit teachers.

REGISTRATION

The VIT should be replaced with a government funded registration board, like we used to have which cost teachers nothing. Instead of supporting the registration process imposed on graduate teachers, (which involves the creation of a detailed portfolio used to judge whether graduate teachers should be allowed full registration) the AEU must aim to ensure that all graduate teachers and their mentors have appropriate support including time release.

DEFEND TEACHERS

The AEU is the organisation which advocates on behalf of teachers and allied staff, just like the AMA does. The VIT has absolutely demonstrated that it cannot (because it has several interests including private schools to represent) and that it will not advocate on behalf of teachers.
Instead of supporting the VIT charging $64 ($102 for graduates!) a year for membership of an institution to “promote the teaching profession,” the AEU must direct it’s efforts towards a public campaign in defence of public education.  It should start with a campaign to eliminate the contracts that 80% of first year teachers are on!

Teachers Alliance calls for:

The AEU to withdraw all support from the VIT and instead campaign for changes that would really benefit teachers.
The VIT to be replaced with a government funded registration board, like we used to have which cost teachers nothing.
Instead of supporting the registration process imposed on graduate teachers, the AEU must aim to ensure that all graduate teachers and their mentors have appropriate support including time release.