May 25, 2006

VICTORIA – More than 2,300 new teachers are graduating from eight B.C. universities this year and most of them will be looking for a job within the province, Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell announced today.

“We will have more than enough teachers to fill positions across the province,” said Coell.  “Despite declining overall employment in the K-12 sector due to shrinking enrolment, these graduates will still have a chance to gain experience through a variety of opportunities such as teaching in regional areas of B. C. or participating through the teacher on-call system.”

Teachers on call help fill temporary vacancies due to teacher illness, extended leaves of absence and professional development leave.

“In December, the Province provided school districts with an additional $20 million to reduce class sizes,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “As a result, an additional 547 classroom teachers, Aboriginal teachers, learning assistance teachers and teacher librarians were hired throughout the province.”

The Province also provided school districts with a $150-million increase in funding this year. Districts reported using the funding to budget for 630 more teachers, bringing the total number of additional teachers hired this year in B.C. public schools to 1,177. The majority of the positions were filled by teachers on call.

“There is declining student enrolment in the K-12 system and a decreasing average age of teachers,” said Bond. “Nevertheless, there are regional shortages of teachers who are specialized in mathematics, physics, languages and special education and also positions available in some rural and remote areas. These openings will also provide opportunities for new graduates.”