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September 11, 1996
(Education)

 

During the last few days, there have been reports that schools have been forced to cancel all extra curricular activities.

The Minister of Education, Roger Grimes, says: "This is an unfortunate misinterpretation of the situation. It stems, I believe, as result of an action which has been taken by the NLTA. In some cases school groups, such as sports teams, drama groups, music groups, etc. travel during the school year to provincial competitions and other such events. The NLTA has directed teachers who coach or sponsor such groups not to participate in such activities unless the district superintendent of education is prepared to sign a written contract which would guarantee that a substitute teacher would be provided, if, and when, the teacher sponsor travels with the student group at some point in the future. Obviously, it is impractical for superintendents to make such a commitment and it is completely unreasonable for teachers to expect superintendents to enter into individual contracts which are, in effect, outside the Teachers Collective Agreement. "If teachers follow the direction of the NLTA on this issue, it is likely that many extra curricular activities will be cancelled," said Mr. Grimes.

"This would be unfortunate since many of these activities take place after school, when no substitute teachers are required."

Last spring, government assessed the projected needs for substitute teachers for the 1996/97 school year in light of the fact that school districts would be in a transition stage.

As part of government fiscal constraints and reorganization of the school system, the number of program coordinator units available to school districts was reduced; therefore, the resources available for teacher in-service have been reduced. Consequently, it was decided that any reductions for substitute teachers would be applied to the area of teacher professional development during this transition year.

Traditionally, teachers have freely given of their time to sponsor extra-curricular activities for students. In fact, in many cases when teachers travel with school groups, other teachers fill in for them while they are away. Government sees no reason why this should not continue. Therefore, I call on the NLTA to reconsider its position on this matter and to recognize the unnecessary detrimental effect it may have on the education of students.

"I am convinced that the $7.7 million provided for substitute teachers will be adequate for boards to hire substitute teachers when regular teachers are away from their duties for illness, compassionate leaves, to attend to family members who are ill, and to travel with their students for educational activities."

"Clearly, it is unreasonable for the NLTA to suggest that these reductions, in any way, interfere with student activities," concluded the minister.

Contact: Carl Cooper, 729-0048.

1996 09 11   3:40 p.m.

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