The region's schools are suffering from a crippling shortage of casual teachers, with reports surfacing that a local high school has seen one teacher having to cover three classes at once.
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The mother of a Tamworth High student, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims her child has "had no English or maths teacher for the whole term", while some classes have been "left in the corridors due to no substitutes" being available.
On Monday, a Department of Education spokesperson confirmed the casual teacher shortage had seen some classes combined under one teacher, although would not be drawn on claims that Tamworth High is "severely understaffed."
"All schools experience a turnover of staff resulting from transfers, retirements and resignations," the spokesperson said.
"The numbers at Tamworth High are not unusually high.
"The school has been effectively addressing vacancies that have arisen with staff taking up positions this term, and at the beginning of the new term."
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However, the student's mother fears that her child may be forced to change schools, and has labelled the situation "ridiculous".
"My child just wants to get on with what they are meant to be doing, but it has all been put on hold because there are no teachers," she said.
"My child doesn't want to change schools, and shouldn't have too."
The department spokesperson said the school and Department of Education are "in the process of looking for solutions to boost available casual teachers in areas where there can be unmet demand".
"There is currently a high demand for locally available casual teachers, and at times this means that more than one class are supervised together by executive or other teachers in the hall," the spokesperson said.
The Leader understands that several Tamworth High parents have contacted Kevin Anderson in relation to the teacher shortage, however, Mr Anderson could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Meanwhile, the NSW Teachers Federation did confirm the New England North West is in the grips of "a general shortage of casual teachers", but would not be drawn on specific issues at Tamworth High.
