Social issues ‘increasingly time consuming’ for teachers

NEWS — Teachers are expected to do too much these days, says a resolution going to the Thompson-Okanagan Branch of the BCSTA.

“Add-on” services expected of teachers include dealing with such current issues as bullying and social media, both hot topics for discussion in the media and among the public.

“Classroom teachers on the frontlines with students, parents and school-based administration are continually requested to provide ‘add-on’ services but, seldom, if ever, are requirements reduced,” says the motion, which will be considered at tonight’s (Monday’s) meeting of the Kamloops-Thompson school board.

The resolution, one of nine being considered by the Thompson-Okanagan Branch, would go to the B.C. School Trustees Association board and, if approved there, to the education ministry asking that expectations be reduced.

“Curriculum coverage, especially introducing curriculum change, is increasingly time consuming, and, difficult to maneuver in an especially already tight bell schedule organization,” it says.

It asks the ministry “to be cognizant of the mounting challenges on valuable classroom time and ensuring student achievement is first and foremost of importance to classroom teachers.”