Workforce pressures are plaguing Victoria's teaching sector, with the Department of Education and Training now providing financial incentives for staff to travel to regional areas for relief teaching.
Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, staff who hold a Victorian Institute of Teaching registration have been asked to list their availability – including retired and pre-service teachers.
An email obtained by the ABC, sent on May 18 by the department secretary Jenny Atta, said providing workforce support would be given "a higher priority" for the remainder of term two.
"Many schools are experiencing workforce pressures as a result of the continuing high level of COVID-19 transmission across the Victorian community," the email read.
"All central, regional and area staff who hold current teacher VIT registration should register … where and when you will be available to provide relief teaching support in primary, secondary or specialist schools over the rest of the term.
However, registration is not mandatory.
'Feels like we're just babysitting'
A Department of Education healthcare worker employed at a regional Victorian school – who does not wish to be named due to other public sector work – said they worked one day last week when 27 staff members were absent.
"At times, it definitely feels like we're just babysitting the students as classes can't run traditionally," they said.
"I have been asked by my school to assist in collapsed classrooms and support a teacher to keep them in the space.
In some cases, the staff member said whole year levels could be collapsed together, resulting in class sizes of more than 100 students working in collaborative spaces such as a hall or auditorium.
The staff member said the constant absenteeism was taking its toll.
"I have seen members of a school wellbeing team supplement classes as well, taking away from mental health initiatives and ongoing case management of students," they said.
"Staff are extremely burnt out.
"All teachers have been taking extras and unfortunately have not been paid."
'All systems go'
David Sutton is the principal of Maryborough Education Centre and said at its peak, the school has had more 30 staff absent out of their 150 cohort.
"We've done a lot of [combining classes], which is not something that we've had to do in the past.
"But given the high rates of absenteeism of students, it's manageable but far from perfect. I think it's preferable to the remote learning that we saw in 2020 and 2021."
Mr Sutton said with the staff shortages, he has had to step in to teach art and English classes at times, but the school has taken advantage of travelling relief teachers supplied by the department.
At this stage, Mr Sutton was not aware of any plans for a return to remote learning, despite the ongoing staff shortages.
"We're here to for the long haul," he said.
"Should the situation deteriorate again we'll await advice on that but at this stage as much as we can it's all systems go."
Aim to keep schools open despite shortages
The Department of Education and Training did not answer the questions put to them by the ABC, but instead gave a statement.
"Whether it's through normal CRT (casual relief teachers) process, using department staff who are registered teachers or our Job Opportunity pool of retired, pre-service or career-break teachers, we're supporting schools to stay open and continue learning face to face," a spokesperson said.
The department said only 11 government schools have used the last resort of remote learning since the beginning of the school year, with the vast majority for only a single day.
Premier Daniel Andrews told the media on March 1 that after two years of off-and-on remote learning, the government's goal was to keep schools open.
"We know that this is not over, and we know that as we get to the colder months than the challenge will become greater."
The department launched a pool of almost 1000 available, retired or pre-service school staff to aid teacher shortages caused by COVID-19 transmission.
In addition, 335 final-year initial teacher education students have been granted permission to teach in Victorian government and Catholic schools this year.
