06 DecMaximizing teacher support: VECTEA 2020 insights
Understanding payments for graduate teacher mentoring and pre-service teachers
Under VECTEA 2020 there are provisions to support two key clauses regarding graduate teacher mentoring and payment for pre-service training.
Clause 52: graduate teacher mentoring
A teacher with provisional registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and with a mentor supporting them, can be eligible for up to four days of paid leave to facilitate the process of transitioning to full teacher registration.
It is very important to note, that this leave must be formally requested by the employee and approved by the employer before it takes place.
Any claims for payment or Time in Lieu (TIL) must receive pre-approval and cannot be submitted retrospectively after the leave has been taken.
Clause 57: payment for pre-service training
This clause refers to teachers mentoring student teachers during their placement.
Establishing a transparent procedure is crucial. The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) service Committee of Management and Director must sign an agreement with the university, TAFE or RTO formalising the pre-service teacher’s placement at their service.
Once documented, a clear written record must identify the mentor teacher(s) before engaging in discussions with the teacher(s).
Any funds paid by the institution for the training placement, if paid to the employer, must be promptly forwarded in full to the mentor teacher (s) without undue delay.
It’s essential to understand that this arrangement exclusively applies to student teachers and not to other educators.
Final considerations
We recommend developing a comprehensive policy or procedure to ensure smooth implementation and understanding of these clauses. This should be communicated and reinforced annually, ensuring all staff members are well-informed, and discussions during staff meetings serve as opportunities for clarification and any necessary updates. This proactive approach will help mitigate potential issues with claims and ensure consistency in understanding these entitlements.
