The NSW Department of Education's Information Technology Directorate (ITD) has pushed ahead with a flawed major restructure, known internally as the ITD Operating Model Phase 2. Despite extensive feedback and serious complaints raising serious concerns about governance, transparency, and the integrity of processes. The situation continues to be worsened by the absence of a clear vision or structured, achievable plan.

These changes go live 16/6/25 with over 50% of critical support roles remaining unfilled coupled with the fact there has been no meaningful communication with schools about these changes.

Proceeding under these conditions will cause significant disruption to school operations, place additional pressure on teachers, burn out ITD staff and ultimately harm student learning.

The restructure particularly in the front line Digital Field Services (DFS) also known as the regional support team which supports IT in schools, behind schools gates will see 46 highly experienced and trained IT professionals replaced with 48 entry level IT staff. The 48 newly recruited entry level staff will be subjected to a, by design, unsustainable workload of rostered visits to schools. Given the number of staff and number of rostered visits required there is no scope for these staff to have a break, undertake professional development or meet as a team.

DFS staff are essential frontline workers, ensuring schools have the technology support they need to function effectively. Without them, teaching and learning suffers.

This restructure:

1. Jeopardises classroom learning due to reduced IT support availability.
2. Places student wellbeing and safety at risk due to unresolved technical issues impacting learning platforms, connectivity, and digital assessments.
3. Drives experienced staff out of the system due to unclear roles, by-design unrealistic workloads, unsafe periods of travel and alleged inconsistencies and lack of transparency in recruitment practices.
4. Fails to deliver on its promises, offering "flexible work" and "generous leave" that staff in reality are unable to access due to travel demands and excessive workloads under this model.
5. Offers no clarity on role differences between pay scales, undermining staff morale and career progression.
6. Will not deliver what has been promised as an outcome - "DFS will attend schools on a rostered, three-weekly basis for half-days to provide dedicated on-site support"

We, the undersigned, believe this model is not fit for purpose. It has been poorly designed, rushed in its implementation, and executed with little regard for the actual conditions on the ground. The lack of rigour around recruitment, placements, and complaint handling has raised serious concerns among staff and stakeholders about process integrity and fairness.

We call on the NSW Department of Education to:

1. Immediately pause and undo the Phase 2 implementation including any changes to staff structures.
2. Undertake an independent review of all complaints raised, in progress or resolved for the period of January 2023 to June 2025 with a particular focus on recruitment processes and allegations of inappropriate conduct.
3. Undertake an independent review of all complaints raised in relation to the ITD Operating Model Phase 2 including recruitment practices, staff conduct,  with a particular focus on recruitment processes and allegations of inappropriate conduct including known outcomes of recruitment activities prior to them commencing.
4. Engage meaningfully and respectfully with schools and front line ITD staff to design a structure that works in practice to support NSW Public Schools whilst also addressing the budgetary pressures of the Department.
5. A comprehensive internal review of ITD’s culture is urgently needed, addressing the ongoing confusion across the directorate since 2023, including but not limited to the breakdown in respectful communication, inconsistent messaging, and the significant changes imposed on schools and front line ITD staff without proper consultation.

This is about more than just Technology - it's about keeping classrooms running, supporting teachers, and ensuring students have the stable, connected learning environments they deserve. If you are a parent of a NSW Public School Student, A teacher, Support staff or have any interest in NSW Public Education please support us to continue supporting you.

Sign this petition to demand accountability from the NSW Department of Education, which has so far failed to meaningfully address these serious concerns. Their decision to push ahead regardless will have lasting consequences from undermining student outcomes to placing an unnecessary burden on taxpayers in remediating the fall out.