Teacher shortage has hit Canada with staff across the country working in survival mode. This shortage is not confined to one province; it is a nationwide crisis impacting the quality of education and the well-being of students and staff alike.
This situation is described as “chaotic and stressful.” Positions remain unfilled, and replacements often lack the necessary qualifications, leaving classrooms with unprepared individuals attempting to navigate teaching responsibilities.
The shortage is not limited to British Columbia. In Quebec, over 8,500 teaching positions remained vacant at the start of the 2023-24 school year, while New Brunswick faces a significant proportion of education graduates choosing not to teach in the province. Nunavut struggles with a vacancy rate of nine to ten percent, exacerbating an already challenging situation.
Schools, like Bains’ high school in Surrey, B.C., are operating in survival mode. Overcrowding is rampant, leading to teachers unable to cope with the demands placed upon them. Librarians, vice-principals, and even principals are often pulled in to cover classes, further stretching already limited resources.
Nathalie Reid from the University of Regina’s Child Trauma Research Centre highlights the alarming increase in non-certified or non-qualified teachers across the country. Emergency measures, such as Manitoba’s 30-hour basic classroom skills program for limited teaching, have been implemented during the pandemic. Quebec saw 30,000 individuals teaching without proper certification between 2020 and 2021, according to a report by Auditor General Guylaine Leclerc.
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While these interim measures were born out of necessity during the pandemic, there is growing concern that they may become permanent solutions. However, teaching has evolved significantly in recent years, focusing not only on academic content but also on social and emotional skills crucial for students’ holistic development. Non-certified teachers may lack the training necessary to address these needs adequately, potentially compromising the quality of education.
Annie Kidder, executive director of People for Education, emphasizes the lack of recognition and appreciation for the essential role teachers play in society. Treating teaching as a job any adult can fulfill undermines the profession’s significance and reduces it to mere babysitting. This mindset neglects students’ learning needs and places undue stress on non-teaching staff, leading to low morale and decreased support for educators.
With the majority of Canadian students attending public schools, Kidder stresses the collective responsibility to address this crisis. Acknowledging the importance of education in shaping the next generation is paramount, requiring a concerted effort from all sectors of society, regardless of individual involvement in the education system.
The shortage of qualified teachers in Canadian schools is not just an isolated problem; it is a systemic issue that demands immediate attention and action. Failure to address this crisis risks compromising the quality of education and the future of the nation’s youth.