“Teachers are leaving schools and communities because of the lack of adequate housing and the lack of response from the State Government to recognise their circumstances,” Mr Woodhams said.

Mr Woodhams said many schools were not attracting graduate teachers because they had already heard about the accommodation that would be provided.

“Young teachers in particular, have minimal finances and often don’t have furniture. They arrive in a regional community where the GROH (Government Regional Officers’ Housing) house hasn’t been updated or improved for several decades. You can’t blame them for leaving,” Mr Woodhams said.

In addition to not being able to keep graduate teachers, many regional and remote schools are unable to attract experienced teachers because they don’t provide appropriate and modern housing for married teachers.

“Older, more experienced teachers can bring some great qualities to our schools and communities, but they need a decent house to live in. If these teachers have their own children then obviously they deserve a house that can meet these requirements,” he said.

Mr Woodhams said he had visited towns where the community recognised the importance of caring for teachers. He said some local governments understood the critical relationship between a good local school and the real future of that town.

“I know the Morawa Shire has worked particularly hard with the local primary school, high school and also agricultural college to provide a range of modern housing alternatives. This makes teachers feel welcome and part of the community. Morawa really should be a model of what can be done,” he said.

Mr Woodhams described the lack of housing in many regions as a crisis not only for teachers but also for other essential service providers such as police and health workers.