Toronto Star: Doug Ford’s Government Says It Has a Plan To Fight Teacher Shortages. Here’s Why the Teachers’ Unions Want It Blocked

Written By Matt Dusenbury
Education Minister Stephen Lecce

At Queen's Park, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the government is looking at longer-term measures to address the shortage, but that the number of sick days teachers take — an average of 16 per year — is a contributing factor. (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star)

Ontario's teacher unions support a move to restrict the number of days retirees can work, saying the province is relying on "Band-Aids and half measures" instead of addressing the ongoing shortage, though school boards are warning the move could mean more cancelled or combined classes.

At Queen's Park, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the government is looking at longer-term measures to address the shortage, but that the number of sick days teachers take — an average of 16 per year — is a contributing factor.

The four teacher unions say a decision by their umbrella provincial federation to keep the current allowable 50 days, instead of again extending that to 95 days, was the right one.

Matt Dusenbury
Have you ever wanted to create something magnificent? Me too. Then I discovered Twitter. My plans failed. Miserably.
http://www.medium.com/@MattDusenbury
Previous

Toronto Star: ‘An Educational Crisis’: Parents, Students Rally Against Proposed TDSB Cuts
Next

Toronto Star: Doug Ford’s Government Is To Blame for Ontario’s Teacher Recruitment and Retention Crisis, Unions Charge