For many university students studying to become teachers, unpaid school placements are a financial and emotional struggle. Fourth year UOW primary education student, Jasmin Gurner, said her days on placement could be long and tiring. “We’d get there at like 7:30 and stay until around 4:30, sometimes even later,” she explained. “[In] my last placement, I put in lots of hours. Some days I was there until 6, or even 7:30 for after-hours events. You don’t get paid for any of it. It’s definitely draining.” The commitment often prevents students from working their regular jobs. “My normal work is during school…