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Reactions mixed to repeal of controversial teacher hiring rule

‘The Ford government is opening the door to nepotism and favouritism hiring,’ says Simcoe County occasional elementary teachers union president
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When Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announced last week the provincial government would be repealing Regulation 274, which mandated that the hiring of occasional teachers at Ontario school boards be done based on seniority, local school boards and special-interest groups saw it as a good thing.

Meanwhile, a local union representing occasional teachers raised an eyebrow.

"Our government is fully committed to standing up for students and parents who deserve the best, most qualified and reflective educator at the front of the classroom. That means, when it comes to hiring educators, principals should be able to hire the best teacher for the job, not necessarily the one who has been in line the longest,” Lecce said in an Oct. 15 media release.

According to the ministry, the new hiring policy would enable principals to hire based on merit, diversity and the unique needs of the school, while providing strict protocols to avoid concerns of nepotism.

The new interim teacher hiring policy would provide school boards with guidance, as boards develop local policies.

Lecce said the principles from the ministry would include promoting diversity, equity and human rights, qualifications and merit and fair/transparent processes.

According to Sarah Kekewich, spokesperson for the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB), the board is committed to equitable hiring practices.

“This change allows for qualifications to be recognized... ahead of seniority, and removes barriers for new graduates and new Canadians with teaching qualifications,” said Kekewich. “The revocation of Regulation 274 removes the limitations for applicants who may consider coming to the SCDSB from another board, thereby increasing the mobility of educators and potentially expanding the hiring pool.”

However, a local union leader is raising the alarm on getting rid of the regulation.

“It is not a good thing,” said Amy Chevis, president of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers union. “Instead of keeping a process that ensures fairness, the Ford government is opening the door to nepotism and favouritism hiring, which is what the regulation was meant to stop.

“Teachers should be hired based on their qualifications and experience, not on who they know or what connections they have,” she added.

Chevis contends that Regulation 274 already promotes a consistent, transparent and fair hiring practices.

“The ETFO (Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario) is a strong advocate for equity in our education system. Scrapping the regulation does nothing to address equity in hiring and, in fact, could undermine it,” said Chevis. “School boards are responsible for hiring applicants to their occasional teacher roster and Regulation 274 does not impact who boards hire.”

Michèle Newton, president and acting chair of Making Change, says it’s important for diversity to be a priority in hiring decisions.

“It’s critically important for students to be exposed to, interact with and learn from teachers of diverse and racialized backgrounds,” Newton said. “Having diverse teaching staff not only serves to broaden the thinking within an organization, but it creates opportunities for students to have role models of different backgrounds and cultures.

“In Simcoe County, where the population of racialized individuals is a smaller percentage of the whole, it’s even more valuable to have more teacher diversity. Outside the home, school is where the foundation for the student’s future and their world view are shaped,” she added.


Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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