Ontario likely to see non-tech teachers in new mandatory tech education classes
Ottawa/IBNS: Canada's Ontario is likely to see non-tech teachers in new mandatory tech education classes, according to the province’s new proposal to allow teachers without technological credentials to teach certain courses for the next school year.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s announcement last year mandated that all the high school students from September 2024 to take a course on technology and the skilled trades in Grade 9 or 10 in order to graduate.
But Ontario's new option to allow principals to assign teachers with general education qualifications, without tech qualifications, to teach those courses for the next year indicates the province’s ill-preparedness for the new mandatory nature of those classes.
Ontario Principals Council president Ralph Nigro was reported saying that before adding in new mandatory requirements for students to take those courses, the present shortage of teachers, let alone a shortage of tech-specific teachers, should have been looked into.
“The introduction of the courses is something that we are generally very supportive of, but I think there needs to be some other steps taken before they are rolled out, like creating additional spots in teacher education programs for tech teachers,” Nigro said in an interview.
“It appears that that didn’t happen and when you factor in … teacher shortages for a number of years, we’re very worried about having enough people in place.”
Isha Chaudhuri, a spokesperson for Lecce said action to recruit and retain qualified educators across Ontario has been taken by the government.
“We have enabled school boards to hire more skilled trades professionals with hands-on experience, along with ensuring introductory courses can be taught by more educators in schools,” Chaudhuri said in a statement.
“By doing so, students will learn through Ontario’s modernized curriculum that emphasizes life skills, STEM, skilled trades and back-to-basics education.”
(Reported by Asha Bajaj)
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
BNM chairman condemns Pakistan's attack on Afghanistan
Dr. Naseem Baloch, Chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), has condemned Pakistan’s attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan, calling them not only a violation of international law but also an affront to the dignity and honour of a free Afghanistan and its proud people.
BNM protest in London against the siege of Zehri
The Baloch National Movement (BNM) held a day-long awareness campaign and protest in London to denounce the ongoing siege of Zehri and highlight the worsening human rights situation in occupied Balochistan.
Pakistan: KP CM voices concern over forced deportation of Afghan refugees
Suhail Afridi, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has voiced his concern over the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Paksitan.
China: Woman buys food for her child, finds human teeth in sausage
Multiple incidents of human teeth being found in food items across China have reignited public concern over food safety in the country, media reports said.
Latest News
BNM chairman condemns Pakistan's attack on Afghanistan
BNM protest in London against the siege of Zehri
Kolkata: RG Kar rape-murder convict Sanjay Roy's niece found hanging inside Alipore residence
Pakistan: KP CM voices concern over forced deportation of Afghan refugees