School General Assistants’ allocation process

Executive, 23 June 2008

Report adopted

Currently the allocation of General Assistant (GA) hours to schools is based almost solely on a formula related to student enrolment. No account is taken of size of school grounds, age of school buildings or site specific demands and facilities.

Despite many years of robust advocacy by the PSA, about the illogical and inadequate consequences of the current allocation formula, DET has refused to budge but admit the process is flawed.

DET has now agreed to direct PSA representation on all regional allocation committees and is drafting a set of 'other' criteria to be taken into account when allocating hours. These criteria will be mandatory and consistent across all regions. A number of PSA members have already been appointed to these committees.

The DET have modelled a number of different options for GA staffing that have no cost implications. They have not as yet found a method that would work but DET know it could work better with more money or a clearer/better emphasis on cross school type arrangements.

DET may be able to improve the staffing by looking at their maintenance contracts and restructuring how these work.

DET agree that there could be a greater role for GAs in site maintenance/management which could create a career path for GAs and enable opportunities for pay increases. The Deputy Director General, Peter Riordan has agreed to speak with Alistair Hunter, the Deputy Director-General for Finance and Infrastructure, who with the PSA are responsible for site management and will set up discussions.