Tests a turn-off for new teachers: union

The Queensland Independent Education Union says testing new teachers for literacy and numeracy will turn them away from the profession.

The tests have been recommended in a report handed to the Government yesterday after Queensland performed poorly in national tests last year.

The union's Terry Burke says it is a knee-jerk response.

"It doesn't encourage anyone to remain a teacher and it also disencourages, I would think, those people who may be contemplating becoming a teacher," he said.

"If you're so little regarded as a teacher that you have to do a maths and science test before you can become a teacher then there's not too much attraction in staying in the profession." link..