A recent survey conducted by the advocacy group People for Education reveals that over a quarter of Ontario schools experience a shortage of qualified teachers on a daily basis. The survey, based on responses from 1,030 publicly funded schools across 70 school boards, highlights the widespread nature of the issue, particularly in northeastern Ontario, where some boards resort to employing uncertified instructors to maintain classes. Challenges include daily vacancies and the reliance on unqualified but approved teachers, prompting creative strategies such as reallocating staff within schools. While some boards implement incentives to attract teachers, others acknowledge ongoing difficulties in maintaining standards. Efforts by the Ministry of Education to address teacher recruitment and retention include hiring additional teachers and streamlining the application process. Collaboration with education stakeholders aims to develop solutions to alleviate staffing pressures, though specific recommendations and timelines remain unclear.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/northeastern-school-teacher-shortage-uncertified-1.7166530
