Research by the University of Sydney in 2018 showed teachers in New South Wales were working an average of 54 hours a week and principals 62 hours. If thatâs an average, that means many educators are working much longer. Professor Pasi Sahlberg, once a leader of the famed Finnish education system, now deputy director of the Gonski Institute and a NSW public school parent, noticed immediately how much longer teachers worked here and how much time our kids spend in classrooms. He has announced he is on a mission to reduce the hours both students and teachers spend in formal lessons. He wants more time for play, creativity and collaboration. I can hear the sighs of relief from both teachers, students and most parents from here.