A non-partisan group in Ontario wants the government to scrap the system that restricts the hiring of teachers to seniority. People For Merit-based Teacher Hiring wants the government to make this an issue in the ongoing negotiations with the unions representing teachers.
The group says it sent a survey to school administrators across the province, and received 1,500 responses. Of those surveyed, 92% of principals are not confident they can interview the best teacher for the job. As well 97% of principals believe schools should hire based on the school community’s needs.
“Getting the right teacher for the job needs to be about much more than just job seniority,” said Kimberley Wakefield, representing People For Merit-based Teacher Hiring.
Wakefield says the current system impedes the ability to get the best teacher for the job. They also say it makes it harder for young teachers to find work.
“School administrators should be able to hire based on suitability and fit, not just years worked,” Wakefield said.
The current system was put in place three years ago. It was meant to increase fairness in hiring.
The group, speaking at Queen’s Park this morning says it has the support of many school councils. They are calling for changes in legislation.
Premiere Kathleen Wynne has said in the past the rules around seniority may have been an “over correction” and that working groups were looking into the issue.
CTV News reached out to the Occasional Teachers Union in Waterloo Region for their comments, but they did not respond.
