To cut or not to cut?

BY KATHY MCDONALD

It appears that each and every day the Education Minister, Lisa Thompson is in the headlines. I would strongly encourage parents to take the time and decipher all the information and make an informed decision about the Minister’s announcements. Contact your trustee and ask for help discerning fact from fiction, fiscal responsibility from ruthless cuts and or efficiency versus extravagance. I will be the first to state that while fiscal responsibility is essential the best way to spend tax dollars is on educating our youth because, in the long run, it’s the most economical thing to do.

When one examines the true cost of having an uneducated society, I think it is clear that the additional cost and burdens that are associated with a lack of education far outweigh educating students, all students. The cost of social services like welfare and social work, mental health, and the justice system could all be substantially reduced if students were educated. The tax revenue that would result from having an educated employable population would far outweigh skimping on the education budget. That being said, I am painfully aware that the government does not have a blank check to present to Boards.

When discussing the superfluity of changes that have been announced regarding the Education Ministry, students and educational staff it would be helpful to have insight into regulation 274 (Reg 274) and the hiring practices of school boards. Becoming a permanent teacher is a rather complicated process which may involve years of perseverance. A wannabe teacher after completing a minimum three-year post-secondary degree from an accredited post secondary institution must complete a four-semester teacher educational program then apply to the Ontario Colleges of Teachers (OCT) for certification. Armed with this certification, which must be registered and the annual membership paid, a teacher can now apply to be on an Occasional Teachers  (OT) List. Getting on the OT list is the first hurdle a new teacher must overcome. This allows them to supply teach. The transparency Regulation 274 brings to hiring, when properly implemented by school boards, makes the path to permanent employment clear to everyone, including new graduates. Teachers can then apply to be on the long-term occasional teachers list (LTO) after being on the OT for at least 10 months. According to the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation’s website “Only OTs on the LTO list who have completed a minimum of one LTO assignment at least 4 months long and has both the required qualifications and highest seniority ranking, can be considered for permanent positions.” Each school board may have different time requirements or number of days needed to work to qualify to stay on the OT/LTO list. Also noteworthy is the salary and benefits vary if you are on the OT/LTO/permanent teacher list.

Reg 274 establishes steps all publically funded school boards must adhere to when hiring LTO and permanent teachers. Proponents for Reg 274 would argue that there were no instances where an OT was hired for a job that they were not qualified to teach. However, individuals that oppose this regulation would argue that principals are forced to hire the most senior teacher on the OT list not the best teacher for the position. Supporters of this regulation would argue that Reg 274 brings transparency to hiring when properly implemented and it makes the path to permanent employment clear to everyone. Opponents, on the other hand, would argue that Reg 274 forces Boards to hire based on seniority and not necessarily the best individual for the job.

For teachers that support this practice of hiring based on seniority, they would argue that experience matters. For the teachers that don’t, they would say that experience is important however so is innovation, creativity, diversity, passion, and commitment to the job and the willingness of teachers to adapt to the ever-changing world of education. It is important to note that the qualities listed are in no way mutually exclusive. Ideally, a great teacher candidate should have all these qualities bundled together.

There have been cases where it is alleged that teachers live and work outside of Canada and simply come to Peel, work for the mandatory eleven days then leave only to come back one year later to work for eleven days. You be the judge. Is this doing what’s best for students and their educational outcomes? What about a teacher that has been on an OT list for an extended period of time? Could this be an indication that no one wants to hire them? If this is indeed the case, why should the system simply absorb them because they are next in line based on their seniority?

Whatever party affiliation one may have it is important to examine the pros and cons of the new regulations, the revised GSN and the changes to the way classroom personnel are funded. At the end of the day, we should look at what is best for student outcome. PUT STUDENTS IN THE CENTER. The business of education should ensure that students get the education that they are legally entitled to. So, journey with me as we strive to ensure that all students are the best that they can be. Walk Good! Belle Marché.