The Case for Full-Time Teaching in Alberta
Alberta teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of our children, and it's time they are compensated accordingly. However, this compensation should come with a condition: teachers must commit to full-time work. This isn't just about fairness; it's about rethinking an outdated system that has remained unchanged for over a century.
Good teachers are often considered invaluable, as they have the power to influence the lives of countless students. Yet, many of these educators find themselves idle for months at a time, which is both wasteful and unjust. The root of this issue lies in historical practices where schools closed during the summer months due to the need for children to help on farms. While this rationale no longer applies, the tradition has persisted, leading to an inefficient educational structure.
The current system in Alberta sees classroom instruction lasting 181 days a year, with an additional 15 days allocated for teacher conventions, professional development, and parent-teacher meetings. This totals 196 days out of 365. In contrast, the average worker enjoys 20 days of vacation, weekends off, and nine public holidays, resulting in 232 days of annual employment.
If teachers were to carry the same workload as other professionals, they could add an extra 36 days of instruction each year. This would allow schools to remain open for seven weeks more annually. Additionally, this shift could resolve the ongoing financial disputes between the province and teachers, eliminating the need to hire an additional 3,000 teachers.
With the current 51,000 teachers already in place, increasing their teaching hours by 20% would effectively provide the equivalent of 10,000 new teachers. This approach not only saves money but also maximizes the potential of existing staff. It’s important to note that teachers are not being asked to work for free; their salaries are typically spread over 12 months, but they are paid only for the time they spend teaching.
By reallocating funds currently earmarked for new teachers, the province could significantly increase starting salaries for current educators, potentially raising them to nearly six figures. This would be a fair compensation for such a critical role, especially if it comes with full-time commitment.
Moreover, the increased teaching hours would lead to smaller class sizes, addressing one of the key demands of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. However, the inefficiency extends beyond teachers. Schools themselves are underutilized, sitting empty for half the year. The government plans to build 130 new schools to accommodate population growth, which will cost billions. This seems impractical when existing facilities are largely unused.
Would we build new hospitals because current ones are closed for several months? Of course not. It would be financially irresponsible. Yet, this is exactly what happens with schools due to outdated precedents. Instead of building new facilities, taxpayer money could be better spent on upgrading existing ones.
Unfortunately, change is unlikely. The government continues to claim it's broke while the teachers' union demands more funding. Neither side shows the courage or imagination needed to reform the system. This cycle of conflict sets a poor example for our children.
Chris Nelson is a regular columnist.