SHADOW Education Minister Jeremy Hanson has called on the ACT government to provide a “real plan”  to address school teacher shortages throughout Canberra.

It comes after students across multiple Canberra public schools moved to remote learning due to a lack of teachers following COVID-19 and flu outbreaks.

Minister Hanson said the problem has been growing for years, and has been noted by parents, teachers and students.

“In 2020, ACT Labor promised 400 new teachers to address the shortage. This has not happened,” said Mr Hanson.

“In fact, the Productivity Commission Report on Government Services shows the ACT Government has actually cut real expenditure per FTE student in ACT public schools.”

Mr Hanson said despite repeated questioning, Education Minister Yvette Berry has been “unwilling or unable to provide adequate or complete information on the current situation in the ACT” or to “clearly identify a plan to recruit and retain the teachers needed to address the crisis.”

“If the Minister will not do the work, the Assembly can call on that work to be done, and to be made public,” he said.

“The Minister has had many opportunities to be upfront and transport about the problem. All we are asking for is a plan.”

Mr Hanson also expressed concerned around reports of violence occurring in Callwell High School. Minister Berry has already survived a motion of no-confidence against her, following a WorkSafe ACT investigation into the school.