â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live

Province investing $50M for 1,100 new BC teachers

The Province and the BC Teachers’ Federation have agreed to put $50 million toward hiring 1,100 new full-time teachers.

Education Minister Mike Bernier announced this afternoon that the money will first and foremost be used to hire classroom teachers this school year. Where feasible, the money can also be used to hire additional specialty teachers this year like speech, behaviour intervention, and special education teachers, as well as aboriginal support, librarians, and mental health counselors, among others.

If it’s not feasible to hire new teachers, based on things like timetables and physical space, the money can be put toward things like recruitment and mentor programs and upgrading existing teacher qualifications.

All the money will be distributed among the school districts based on things like student enrollment numbers. School District 57 Chair Tim Bennett isn’t sure what the local share will be yet, but he looks forward to it

“Teachers play such a critical role in supporting the 13,000 students in the district and the funds that our district will receive will hire more staff to support our students even further.”

Following the Supreme Court of Canada’s November decision to again give the BCTF the right to bargain classroom and composition size, Minister Bernier calls it this the first step towards a new collective agreement.

“We know there’es more steps to come and that’s why we’re going to continue meeting collectively with the groups to jointly review the old contract language as well as current district level information to go forth. ”

Both sides are working towards a final agreement. Bernier says there’s no final date in sight and talks are ongoing.

This new funding is in additions to the $5.1 billion the Province is investing into public BC education.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Three workshops coming to Prince George for Alzheimer caregivers

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. will be hosting free workshops in Prince George next week.

Cops for Cancer Tour de North raises $245,000 for childhood cancer research

Emergency service crews that took part in this year's Cops for Cancer Tour de North wrapped up their seven day ride on Thursday in Prince Rupert.

Zach’s Sports Shorts; Saturday, September 20th

The regular season officially kicked off for the Prince George Cougars yesterday (Friday) after a 6-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks at home.

New faces shine for Cougars in season opener

That's starting the season with a bang.The Prince George Cougars opened their season with a 6-1 win over the Portland Winterhawks in front of 4,252 fans at the CN Centre.

Spruce Kings road woes in Chilliwack reach another low

Another trip to the Fraser Valley turned out to be a bust as the Chilliwack Chiefs tallied five un-answered goals enroute to a 6-2 victory Friday night to begin the BCHL regular season.
- Advertisement -