Hapke appalled by “status quo” of public education budget

Prince George District Teacher Association President Joanne Hapke says the 2022 BC Budget did little to alleviate the teacher shortage in the north.

She added the issue is so dire, that it’s having a disproportionate effect on students with disabilities as well as learners with more diverse needs.

“I have huge concerns about the lack of teachers in our classrooms and the number of uncertified people going into our classrooms and teaching our children. The government has failed to recognize the teacher shortage for many years and they continue to do so.”

“The teacher shortage is exacerbating that because when there are not enough teachers to go into classrooms they are holding the teachers responsible for inclusive education and for working with children with disabilities. So, while these teachers might have a job and an assignment, they are being pulled daily into an alternate job.”

Hapke is worried the teacher shortage, will look similar to what is happening with our nurses, especially with how much educators have been leaned on the past two years.

“I don’t see how this can not lead to more staff burnout and more teachers leaving the profession. What we have experienced in this province over the last two decades is disrespect towards teachers and we are tired of it.”

Last June, BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) President Teri Mooring noted teacher mental health is declining at twice the rate of other BC residents.

Furthermore, a July 2021 study from UBC noted 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.

Hapke is also in agreeance with the BCTF that the 3.83% spike in funding for the K-12 system does little to fight the high inflation rates we are seeing across Canada.

“The inflation is hovering around 5%. If they (the province) are only increasing the education budget to 3.83% that’s a decrease overall and the province is putting childcare into education will they be funding childcare or is that another drain on our budget.”

“There was also nothing in that budget to even mention or acknowledge that we are entering a bargaining year. There was no mention of talk of increases to teachers salaries even the government relied heavily on them the last two years and be available.”

According to the Teachers Federation, the most significant expenditure in the budget is for increases in student enrolment, with more than 23,000 additional students expected to enter BC’s public school system over the next three years.