Teachers willing to leave the Vancouver area could soon earn more money

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With only a few days left before more than half a million students return to public schools across the province, concerns remain about possible teacher shortages.

It appears the key areas of concern remain outside the Lower Mainland. That’s mainly because last year’s Supreme Court of Canada ruling on class size and composition made it possible for at least 3,000 more teachers to be hired.


Related articles:

Hundreds of Vancouver teaching jobs being posted, ahead of start of school

Teacher staffing remains an issue, with start of school just a couple weeks away


School districts are responsible for all recruitment. But the provincial government has set up a $2-million fund aimed at providing incentives for staff willing to work in smaller and more remote communities.

Some of that money could cover moving expenses for teachers willing to leave the Vancouver area. However, we’ve been told Vancouver School District recruiters have been working overtime through the summer to fill nearly 300 positions before classes resume next week.

That’s roughly three times the normal posting for this time of year.

Janet Stewart with the BC Public School Employers’ Association admits this summer has been busy. “It is very typical in this cycle to have school districts working to fill vacancies at this time of year, but the volume has definitely increased.”

Stewart tells us most Lower Mainland districts shouldn’t have a problem filling vacant spots. “We knew early on that this would be an issue and anticipating that, along with the $2-million fund that the ministry put in place, we’ve also initiated a targeted advertising campaign across Canada back in December — done targeted Facebook ads.”

“I am confident that with that hard work and also, with our efforts in supporting them, we’ll be able to get those jobs filled,” she adds.

In Surrey, the largest district, more than 100 spots still need to be filled.

The province is currently expecting 537,589 public school students this year. That would be an increase of 4,232 over last year.

The total education operating budget for public and independent schools is $5.9 billion. The province estimates $9,100 in funding per student.

It also says about $1 billion is set aside for funding to schools for students with special needs.

Education Minister Rob Fleming is expected to provide updated numbers on Friday.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today