By Anna Patty
TAFE is to introduce a new ''paraprofessional'' position for tutors who will be paid at least $13,600 less each year than teachers, but take on many of the same duties.
The NSW opposition and Greens have criticised the state government's creation of the new position, saying it will downgrade the quality of TAFE teaching.
Fired up ... protesters in Darling Harbour. The Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, said the savings would not affect students.Credit: Dean Sewell
The O'Farrell government has announced a $1.7 billion cut to the education budget, including the loss of 800 TAFE teacher positions.
The proposed new tutor/instructor role, revealed as part of enterprise bargaining negotiations, would perform similar training and assessment duties that teachers deliver.
The tutors would require a certificate IV in training and ''demonstrated vocational competencies''.
The opposition education spokeswoman, Carmel Tebbutt, said that the government was undermining the quality of TAFE education.
''The government is opening TAFE up to greater competition while at the same time weakening it by cutting 800 jobs and proposing training be delivered by unqualified tutors,'' she said.
''This will undermine TAFE's ability to continue to deliver quality training and attract students.
''TAFE has a long and proud tradition of providing high-quality skills training and second chance education. This is all now at risk.''
Greens NSW MP John Kaye said teachers with four years' experience earn $86,878 each year. The proposed new tutor/instructor salaries would range from $64,000 to $73,278.
''TAFE students will be denied the right to be taught by a professional with detailed subject knowledge,'' he said.
A spokesman for the NSW Department of Education said the proposed new roles would complement and support teachers.