rich teacher salaries

Western Australia's Council of State School Organisations has welcomed the Carpenter Government's $600 million salary package for teachers.

In announcing the initiative yesterday, Education Minister Mark McGowan said it would help retain and attract teachers to the profession by paying elite teachers up to $100,000 a year.

But the State Opposition and the State School Teacher's Union rejected this, saying only a small number of teachers would benefit from the scheme.

Council president Robert Fry says the package, which also provides allowances for teachers in remote areas, is very generous.

"That is one of the biggest problems we have when there is a teacher shortage," he said.

"There has got to be adequate allowances and support to teachers that want to, or are prepared to, move into the rural or remote areas so we see that as a very positive step."