Summer 2006 - The member magazine of the Elementary Teachers

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OTF R EPORTReforming the College of Teachers– half measures are not acceptableby Hilda WatkinsNo otherprofessionalcollege has agoverning bodywith such aslim majority ofmembers of theprofession.… No otherprofessionalcollege has apublic interestcommittee.Hilda Watkins is the OTF TableOfficer for ETFO.T he Liberal party campaigned on theplatform of revitalizing the OntarioCollege of Teachers. Indeed, Liberal politiciansseemed to comprehend the teachers’dilemma – that teachers could only supportand respect the College if it were trulya self-regulatory professional body.This spring the government introduced Bill78, the Education Statute Law Amendment Act(Student Performance). The Bill addresses awide variety of issues. Particularly significant forOTF – and of grave concern – are the proposedchanges to the governance of the College. Thenew law proposes to:• Increase in the number of elected classroomteachers to 23 from 17• Create a public interest committee• Give the College responsibility to determine,through regulation, who is eligible tobe elected and what constitutes a conflict ofinterest• Shorten the maximum term of office to sixconsecutive years from 10 years• Introduce an oath of office.Although the legislation affords teachers sixadditional seats on the governing council, thisequates to a simple majority of one. (Other councilpositions include 14 government appointees,and one from each of the designated groups– principal, supervisory officer, private school representativeand faculty representative.) No otherprofessional college has a governing body withsuch a slim majority of members.The proposed public interest committee wouldbe comprised of people who are not members ofthe College. They would be government appointeeswho would provide advice relating to the dutyof the governing council and its members to serveand protect the public interest. This committeeseems redundant given that the mandate of thegoverning council, since its inception, has been toserve and protect the public interest. Further, theexistence of such a committee could be potentiallycostly and the teachers of Ontario would have tobear this expense. Additionally, no other professionalcollege has a public interest committee.The proposed eligibility requirements arepunitive and excessive. Teachers would not beallowed sit on the governing council if they wereemployed, elected or appointed at either the provincialor local level by any teachers’ federation.Such language has the potential to disenfranchiseany member who participates as a delegate at anannual general meeting or serves on a provincialor a local committee. Indeed, even local committeemembers who liaise with crisis centres couldbe deemed ineligible.Equally distasteful is the language around thedefinition of a teacher that could potentiallymake teachers on maternity and other leaves, aswell as occasional teachers, ineligible to stand forelection to OCT.The six-year limit on the term of elected councilorswill hamper the acquisition of experienceand the smooth transition between those whoare experienced and those new to the council.OTF and the affiliates have a short time framein which to address the difficulties inherent inBill 78. In particular, the issue of eligibility mustbe resolved prior to the election of the fourthcouncil, which is scheduled to begin on September5.36 etfo voice SUMMER 2006
C TF REPORTETFO contributions to CTFrecognizedby Winston CarterThe insightand vision ofyour PresidentEmily Noblehas contributedgreatly to thedepth and scopeof our discussions.Winston Carter is President of theCanadian Teachers’ Federation.As I look back over the past year, whatbecomes apparent is ETFO’s vital roleat the heart of so many of activities here atCTF. I want to express our heartfelt thanksfor your contributions throughout the pastschool year.The insight and vision of your President EmilyNoble – a member of our executive committee– has contributed greatly to the depth and scopeof our discussions.Last October when the British Columbia governmenttook draconian measures to try andbreak the BC Teachers’ Federation, CTF establishedthe BC Teachers Hardship Fund. ETFOmade a generous contribution. CTF memberorganizations and affiliates donated over $1million that helped nearly 2,000 BC teachersmake ends meet. (See ctf-fce.ca for the fullreport on the fund.)ETFO has helped us move forward on variousfronts during the year: compiling data for ournational survey on commercialism in Canadianschools (jointly organized by CTF with theCanadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and theQuebec-based CSQ-FSE); mobilizing membersfor a lobby of MPs on copyright issues; contributingto our national conference on inclusiveschools; and overseeing the design of this year’sWorld Teachers’ Day poster.CTF, with the exceptional support of ETFOand other member organizations, continuesto be a leader within the international educationcommunity. One of these activities, GlobalAction Week, is an annual world event to raiseawareness about the fact that over 100 millionchildren around the world are without anyschooling. ETFO played a key role in remindingthe newly elected federal government of itscommitment to meet the United Nations’ millenniumdevelopmental goals.On April 25, members of the CTF boardof directors discussed these issues with theirrespective federal MPs and senators. ColinGreene, a member of the executive board ofEducation International and former presidentof the Caribbean Union of Teachers, was theguest speaker at the event CTF organized.Through its Project Overseas program CTFprovides practical assistance to countries aroundthe world. Since 1999, 42 ETFO members havevolunteered their time and skills to improveteacher performance and school managementin developing countries. Canadian advisorswork with partners to enhance professionalcapacity and organizational skills.Next month, the federation is sponsoringthese ETFO participants in Project Overseas:Carol Peterson – GhanaAllyson Taché – Team Leader to GuinéeLeyla Kfoury – NigeriaBarbara Moran – NigeriaAnita Dhawan – Sierra LeoneAdrianna Knight – UgandaYasmin Khan – MongoliaMichael Gill – DominicaDonna Howey – GuyanaOwen Smith – St. VincentAllison Stroffman – St. VincentDolores Sullivan – St. VincentWe wish you good luck and thank you.Through your efforts, you have helped improvethe working conditions for teachers and thelearning conditions for all students in thefuture.On behalf of your colleagues across the country,we thank ETFO and its members for yoursupport and involvement in our common journeyforward to ensure that quality public educationbecomes a reality for all.Enjoy your summer.etfo voice SUMMER 2006 37
Page 1 and 2: Summer 2006Vol. 8 • No. 4X, Y, Bo
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