Saskatchewan teachers to withdraw from extracurricular activities in job action

Extracurricular activities will be withdrawn from schools across Saskatchewan on Monday as part of teacher job action.

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation said this includes activities before, during, or after school like sports, drama, music, band, science clubs, intramurals, rehearsals, student leadership activities, planning for graduation celebrations, book fairs, and other clubs and activities.

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“Teachers are passionate about the work we do to support students in classrooms and within the school community. We never want to be in a situation where opportunities for students are impacted; however, this government has left us no other options,” says Samantha Becotte Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president.

“Beginning with a one-day withdrawal of these services is not something that we take lightly. Government needs to recognize the magnitude of the situation they have caused and continue to contribute to, get serious, and return to the table ready to bargain on the real issues impacting Saskatchewan students. Once again, I encourage parents, families and community members to reach out to their MLAs, the Minister of Education and the Premier to voice their concerns.”

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Noon-hour supervision withdrawals will also take place in select school divisions, including:

• Northern Area Teachers’ Association – all schools in Northern Lights School Division
• North West Teachers’ Association – all schools in Northwest School Division
• Prairie South Teachers’ Association – all schools in Prairie South School Division
• Saskatoon Teachers’ Association – all schools in Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
• Tri-West Teachers’ Association – all schools in Living Sky School Division, Light of Christ Catholic School Division and Sakewew High School (North Battleford)

Global News reached out the the Government of Saskatchewan for comment and received a statement.

The province once again said that it was at the bargaining table waiting for the teachers and that it has moved on several items brought forward by the STF.

“Outside of bargaining, the government has proposed an agreement with the STF to annualize the $53.1 million in additional funding for class size and complexity,” the province said.

“Since October, the STF has been at the bargaining table for a total of 30 minutes.”

Becotte called the invites disingenuous, saying the days last week they were back at the bargaining table the government had not come forward with a new mandate.

She said the government has the ability to make sure students get the supports they need, it just requires political will, which she says can come from public pressure.

Becotte added that dealing with issues like classroom size and complexity outside the bargaining table means there’s nowhere to hold the government accountable.

It was noted that longer term job action could be on the table in the future, but Becotte said teachers don’t want to have to take job action.