With UK schools actively recruiting in Australia, shortages in teachers of science subjects are hitting hard at country schools and schools in disadvantaged areas, such as the western suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne, prompting concerns over the education of Australia's future scientists
Ms Jan Thomas, Vice-President of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies, said that shortages were forcing schools to use an increasing number of under-qualified teachers in these key subject areas.
"Things are only going to get worse, we are bracing ourselves for the time when the Americans enter the recruiting market in pursuit of science and mathematics teachers. American salaries and conditions look pretty attractive to Australians."
Ms Thomas said that 40% of teachers taking mathematics in junior high school classes are underqualified. She said some schools have reached the stage where they are dropping the more challenging levels of mathematics and science.
"Unless Australia tackles the issue in a determined way, this country will go backwards," Ms Thomas said. "A modern economy demands a properly educated population. Recent statements by the Business Council of Australia and Rupert Murdoch underline the widespread concern of the community about our national investment in education."
