The hidden reality of the pressures being faced in Newfoundland and Labrador schools by the shortage of teachers is “very heavy,” according to the president of the NLTA.
Trent Langdon says the current system is under major stress and unless government starts investing now, there won’t be any major improvements.
Langdon says they are seeing shortages that are significant but not quite enough to close schools down for any length of time.
Closures are not unprecedented though. He notes that last week a school on Fogo Island did have to shut down for the day due to a lack of staff.
He cites an email from a concerned principal saying they could be seeing shortages of between 3 and 10 staff per day.
For example, if there are 50 staff and 10 are out, “you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul every minute,” says Langdon. He questions how students can meet the curriculum in such situations.
(File photo.)
Education Critic Barry Petten agrees with Langdon’s comments, noting that using retired teachers to help fill the gaps is not a long term or sustainable plan.
Petten is asking where the plan is to attract more teachers with incentives to get people who have left the field to come back.
