Increased workload and gaps in meeting student needs remain the biggest issues facing teachers across the province according to a survey by the BC Teachers Federation.
The report also highlights that teachers are expected to do more with less as well as encountering concerning levels of workplace discrimination.
BCTF President, Clint Johnston told Vista Radio it’s concerning that more money is being thrown at teachers to stay in the profession but little effort has been made to shore up the work environment.
“It was nice to get the salary bump last round and we will need another one like everyone else will but we really need a significant amount of money put into a plan that is going to address to keep the teachers we have, stop that bleeding and then recruit and retain more certified teachers to solve that problem long term.”
Similar to nursing, education is running into the same issue of retaining staff, but now, Johnston states the recruitment side of the coin is facing some hurdles.
“People are watching when they are making choices about their careers and they are looking at the pay, they are looking at the workload, expectations and they are mainly looking to connect on if they can do this as a 30-year career and have a positive outcome and right now they are looking at teaching and saying no I can’t.”
“Workload is what matters. Over half of our members say that their workload has increased in this last year and for a lot of them that is linking directly to the fact that so many of them are talking about not being able to continue in this career.”
When asked if a change from the current NDP government could be the tipping point in turning the situation around, Johnston feels it’s more about dialogue and less about who is in charge.
“I don’t think it’s about changing the government. It’s about changing how the government is acting regardless of which one it is. We will continue to work with whoever is there to try to get the best situation for public education in BC and its students.”
The survey noted that over 15% of teachers said it would be unlikely they would be staying in the BC public education system in the next two years.
The full report can be read here.
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