By Matt Fetinko

Crisis in the Classroom

PGDTA calls teacher shortage in city a “crisis”

Jan 29, 2020 | 4:10 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The teacher shortage for School District 57 is a lingering issue dating back a number of years. Now, the Prince George District Teachers Association said it has officially become a crisis.

In August 2019, the Province issued an Education by the Numbers release stating a number of points including one outlining north of $400-million annually for school districts to hire nearly 4,000 new teaching positions. While that has helped certain issues, some say it is not helping where support is needed most.

Province-wide, issues persist as well, with the BC Teachers Federation tweeting about mediation talks and how a strike vote and job action would need to wait until the process is over. Those terms being tossed around can be a cause for concern, but SD 57 Board Chair Tim Bennett wants to remind everyone of the successful steps taken in the last year to bring in teachers from out-of-city and out-of-province. Bennett also said they are focused on allowing the process to play out at the provincial table.

The BCTF is meeting with a mediator this weekend with the goal of setting new mediation dates in February.