REGINA – Finding teachers in rural and remote parts of Saskatchewan can be challenging, but there are school divisions who find themselves in that position chronically.
“We have particular challenges finding French-speaking teachers willing to go out and teach in more isolated, rural regional areas,” said Dolorese Nolette, acting deputy director with the Conseil des ecoles fransaskoises (CEF).
School divisions like the CEF are forced to turn to probationary teachers – candidates who have fewer qualifications, when a regular teacher cannot be found.
In order for a teacher to receive a probationary certificate, they need to complete a criminal record check. They need to have a high school diploma, be out of high school for four years and have at least two years of post-secondary. They also need to have a certain skill, but not necessarily education training.
Last year, the ministry of education granted 353 probationary certificates. Over half of those were for substitute teachers. French language teachers are also in short supply.
“There’s also a need for people who have a specific First Nations language, as well as a heritage language,” said Trevor Smith from the Ministry of Education.
However, the francophone school division says hiring individuals without teaching credentials fills a gap, but it doesn’t always solve the problem.
“It increases the amount of time that principals and more seasoned staff spend with the people who are on probationary contracts,” said Nolette.
University of Regina education professor, Dr. James McNinch proposes another solution: allowing students to get their bachelor of education in smaller communities.
“We know that we’re attracting local people who are looking for local jobs,” said McNinch, Saskatchewan Instructional Development and Research Unit (SIDRU) director.
The francophone school board is doing the same – reaching out to recent U of R grads and their own students.
Comments