The mental health of BC teachers continues to spiral downward.
That’s according to a recent study from UBC, where nearly 81% of educators surveyed admitted to a decline in their mental health due to the pandemic.
Furthermore, 40% indicated they were more likely to seek to leave the profession.
BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) First Vice-President, Clint Johnston said this could add another layer to an already large teacher shortage in the province.
“If those who are already doing the job and have the experience and the ability to do the job have had this sequence of events to make them question whether they can continue. I think it is also going to be hard to draw people into a profession when they see that stat and how this is roled out.”
PG District Teachers Association President, Joanne Hapke isn’t the least bit shocked by the findings.
“We are not surprised. All year long we asked for simple health and wellness checks. We wanted masks in September and we were denied that so right away we are being told that we are not worth the least amount of protection available.”
The Teachers Federation also hinted many educators and teacher unions reported inconsistent treatment from their employers and management.
Hapke stated that within School District 57, this outcome was no different.
“Now, when we go back to each school, there were principals out there that were amazing and really trying to support the teachers in giving them permission to go home but once again, that was not a consistent message.”
The BCTF is also calling on the province to train everyone in the school system on trauma-informed practices and to be more transparent on COVID-19 data.
In addition, the federation will also be asking the Ministry of Education to elaborate on how it plans to spend 5-million dollars to support mental health in the sector.
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