There have been more new teachers injected into schools in southern Tasmania than in the North and North-West, despite the government's strategy focused on regional schools.
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An election commitment to employ 250 new teachers and 80 new teacher assistants over the next six years has so far appointed 69 new permanent teachers.
The commitment stated a focus on placing teachers in hard-to-staff schools or regional schools, depending on "operational need".
However, a government spokeswoman confirmed on Wednesday 31 of the teachers were placed in southern regional schools, as opposed to 19 each in the North and North-West.
The total figure has not shifted since an update on the recruitment drive was made by Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff in March but the spokeswoman would not confirm which schools the teachers have been placed in.
No TAs had been recruited, as that strategy is not expected to begin until next year.
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"Placements are based on operational needs, with a focus on regional areas and high priority schools and specialisations," the spokeswoman said.
The plan is expected to cost $145 million over the next six years and a mix of primary and secondary base-grade teachers are being employed.
A new recruitment drive was launched by the Education Department last month to build on the first round.
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said this next round of recruitment would shift the focus.
"The initial focus has been on providing an avenue for talented contract teachers already working in classrooms to gain permanency. This has involved eligible employees undertaking a formal and rigorous process to demonstrate quality teaching practice," he said.
The next round will focus on attracting talent to regional and rural areas, as well as high priority schools to increase specialised expertise in hard-to-staff locations and support student outcomes.
The spokeswoman did not confirm if the Education Department was continuing to shortlist applicants for positions, which it had done for the first round to reduce the load on principals.
"Principals play a key role in the assessment of suitability of teachers applying for full-time positions through the current recruitment process," the spokeswoman said.
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