Every child in New South Wales deserves a world-class public education.

That's why my government has slashed the number of permanent teacher vacancies by 61 per cent, ensuring thousands more NSW public school students are receiving a quality and consistent education.

New data shows NSW public schools began term 3 with 962 permanent teacher vacancies, down from 2,460 at the same time in 2022 under the former Liberal National Government.

While there is more to do, the 61 per cent drop in vacancies has brought the number of permanent teacher vacancies to the lowest level in four years.

Within the Kogarah electorate, that vacancy number has dropped by more than 80 per cent.

This progress follows our decision to scrap the wages cap that held teacher salaries back and devalued this profession for more than a decade.

Under this old Liberal policy, we had a record 3,311 vacancies in late 2022, which led to 10,000 cancelled and merged classes per week.

Thankfully, that is now starting to change.

Under my government, the department of education has also ramped up efforts to provide dedicated support to schools facing recruitment challenges.

From this year, every NSW public school principal is being supported by a dedicated Recruitment Officer, working closely with them to manage recruitment in their schools.

Over the past 12 months, 6,398 permanent teachers have been appointed, with resignation and retirement rates declining as well. This is a great indicator to better retention and a stabilising workforce.

While there is more work to do, the reduction in vacancies shows what happens when we value the teaching profession - so we can then lift student outcomes.

This including the largest pay rise in a generation to all NSW's public school teachers; making over 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contacts permanent and reducing the administrative workload - getting our teachers back in the classroom teaching our children.

We are addressing workload by allowing more time to roll out a new curriculum, improving mandatory training and professional learning requirements, providing access to AI assistance and providing additional administrative support in schools.

This is a critical step in the right direction.

We know teachers being in the classroom is the most crucial factor in improving student outcomes across the state.