Dalton Keeps Demerger Of MRHS On The Agenda

The question of reversing the merger between Griffith and Wade High Schools that took place back in 2019, forming Murrumbidgee Regional High School (MRHS), has been posed with some supporting the idea.

While there is no intent for such a move to take place, Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton has committed to continue the call for a demerger, an issue that has been a priority for her since the merger’s inception.

“The Griffith Teachers Association has been expressing concerns about this model from the start and despite the UNSW report, they find themselves in the same position - understaffed, under-resourced and forced to grapple with a model, that despite best intentions, struggles to work due to a geographical distance of 4.2km,” Mrs Dalton said.

A University of NSW damning final report released last year recommended never replicating the model again.

The report found the merger resulted in inefficiencies, duplication and increased workloads, ultimately impacting the health and welfare of the teaching body.

Mrs Dalton said that the 3000 lessons were not taught in the first semester of 2019 due to a teaching crisis - a crisis that has steadily worsened over the intervening years.

MRHS currently has 14 teaching vacancies, five of which have been unfilled for longer than six months.

“Some teachers live in Griffith but commute to surrounding areas because they receive increased financial incentives,” Mrs Dalton said.

“I won a public interest debate in parliament last year supporting a demerger and every opportunity I get, I am putting this issue front and centre.”

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• Education