SD57 Feels Pressure Of Teacher Shortage

PRINCE GEORGE- It’s a growing problem in the province, substitute teachers being hired without teaching certification. We first told you about this last week in other school districts, now #57 is in a similar situation. The district says it has been hiring uncertified substitute teachers in rural schools, such as Mackenzie, for some time due to a lack of qualified teachers in the area. Thanks to the ongoing shortage of teachers in the province, PG schools may see more substitutes without teaching degrees. Unlike other districts, #57 requires a post-secondary degree in a related field, along with experience working with children or teens. “Sometimes folks have taught for private schools that did not require a bachelor of Ed, sometimes folks have been involved in daycare or child and youth situations,” says Superintendent Marilyn Marquis-Forster,”we, of course, prefer certified folks, and certified teachers are always called in first, but when a certified teacher is not available we’re allowed to fill a vacancy in a classroom.”