Nunavut government to OK extra Christmas leave for school staff on “case-by-case” basis
“There may be extenuating circumstances for some school staff who wish to travel”
Teachers at Kiilinik High School in Cambridge Bay and throughout Nunavut have the right to ask for additional leave, even over the holidays, says John Fanjoy, president of the Nunavut Teachers Association. The Education Department says that’s true, but they won’t be able to work remotely through the two-week isolation period on their way back to Nunavut. (Photo by Jane George)
Nunavut’s Department of Education says some school staff can travel outside the territory over the Christmas holidays.
But to do so, they will have to ask for a leave of absence, see that approved and then be prepared to sit idle during the two-week isolation period before they return to the territory.
“If school staff choose to leave Nunavut, they will need to consider time for the 14-day isolation period. They will not be authorized to work remotely, or from an isolation hub,” the department said in a statement to Nunatsiaq News on Monday, Nov. 9.
The Nunavut Teachers Association, the union representing about 700 teachers in the territory, says its members are likely to be hesitant to ask for additional leave even though it’s permitted through their collective agreement.
David Joanasie, Nunavut’s minister of education, said last week in the legislature teachers would be expected to report back to work based on the school calendar.
He said the Government of Nunavut has been “adamant that Nunavummiut avoid non-essential travel, especially outside of the territory, and we are of this position.”
The Department of Education appeared to soften its stance a bit in its Nov. 9 statement, saying “school staff can request leave and it will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis against operational requirements.”
“The Department of Education understands that there may be extenuating circumstances for some school staff who wish to travel,” its statement said.
Nunavut teachers who need to travel at Christmas for a reason they feel is essential “should feel comfortable in applying for leave to do so,” NTA president John Fanjoy told Nunatsiaq News.
“But when you have the minister of education making a statement like that at the legislative assembly that muddies the waters … the teachers don’t feel comfortable asking anymore.”
The collective agreement offers teachers multiple reasons—including mental health issues—for which teachers can ask to for a leave, he said.
“We’re worried. We speak to a lot of teachers … in the profession we call it May-tired or June-tired. But we have a lot of teachers who are June-tired in November because of all the stresses they are under,” he said.
“Our message is that teachers have to take care of their health, including their mental health, and any teacher who feels they are to that point where their mental health is affected should consider taking leave to take care of their mental health.”
Fanjoy said there is a lot of pressure on teachers “to suck it up and deal with your mental health stresses while you’re working.”
Teachers do a lot for students. This said, this is another example of teachers in it for themselves. It’s no wonder people tend to believe there is a lot of searching for reasons to close schools for a day or 2. They feel like they’re forced to suck it up and deal with mental stresses while working. A lot of people working in communities have to suck it up and deal with a lot things, without the summer off, without PD week and spring breaks. Spring breaks for teachers, not spring breaks for students. I appreciate all the things teachers do for students but it’s hard to believe that students come first. This fall for example, teachers upset, putting blame on the GN for not preparing them to open, why wasn’t it planned to open as normal and adjust accordingly? That’s what happened when schools were shut down in March.
So people have worked through these stressful times, working through the summer, working without time off, staff that also have families down south, also spending months away from their families because they were told to keep away from non essential travel, same way teachers, who had the summer off, are being asked. People having to stay, avoid going home, even when family members pass and having to miss their funeral service, family members celebrating special occasions.
^ This guy gets it.
Clearly you are not a teacher. I’d love to see you in the classroom. You wouldn’t last a week.
Meanwhile, some select GN employees will be allowed to travel over the holidays. They justify it (they worked hard, they need a break, they need to see family), will be permitted work from the isolation hubs (and not sure their vacation days), while encouraging others not to do the same.
Just stay in Nunavut!
Nothing brings out the true spirit of Nunavut like a story about its “teachers” …
In the news within the past week:
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“Canada sets new COVID-19 record with 4,248 cases reported in one day”
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“B.C. sets new COVID-19 record for 2nd straight day as province announces 589 new cases and 2 more deaths”
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“Alberta breaks daily COVID-19 record again with 919 new cases”
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“Sask. breaks single-day record for reported cases with 190, death toll rises to 29”
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“Manitoba shatters previous high with record 480 new COVID-19 cases, three deaths Friday” (11 days ago)
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“Quebec and Ontario smash daily COVID-19 case records as country battles resurgence”
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Nunavut Teachers – “I wanna go on vacation down south to mingle with my family and I should get the extra isolation time without using any additional leave and be paid in full.”
Relax, we know the stats, see its our job to prepare students for their futures and current events and pandemics fit the bill. I don’t know a teacher that hasn’t been adding, working and building programs around the covid rules. We rarely have time to sit online commenting on Nunatsiaq, unless say it’s Remembrance Day, and if you know about that, you can thank a teacher too. We are worried, hopeful and preordering our turkey to celebrate in our homes, apartments, rooms with anyone who will have us or we include. So be kind, and respectful, stop being so judgey. Have some compassion for those teachers or anyone who worry for their families. We will get through this, but it would be better if we did it all together and learned a few Remembrance Day lessons about scapegoating and compassion.
Did this teacher just take credit for Remembrance Day? As if nobody in Canada would know of this existence of Remembrance Day without teachers. I’d just see it on my calendar and be totally lost.
So, out of all that, you got that the teacher took credit for Remembrance Day? You missed the part about being kind, about compassion, but your ability to read and write and think critically allowed you to make that comment. Obviously, a talent you were born with on display. Although I am thinking at least one of your life coaches may have missed the obvious life lesson. If you have nothing nice to say….
Actually, no, that teacher wasn’t trying to take credit for Remembrance Day, whatever that means. Try reading for comprehension next time.
The GN volunteered to pay contractors over $500 per day per worker for GN projects while those workers sat in isolation, plus the hub costs. It is hard to understand why the GN will not allow most employees to work from the hubs remotely when they already voluntarily paid contractors millions of dollars to isolate. People who cannot do their job remotely should be on paid leave like the contractors while everyone else should be able to work remotely.
The only teacher I know who is leaving for Christmas is one with significant medical concerns, and with 2 parents in the hospital, one in palliative care. The other teachers have found ways to look forward to Christmas in Nunavut! I have chosen to spend many previous Christmases in Nunavut, and it’s a magical experience. I will miss my family and my partner, but I know I will be welcomed with open arms by this community.
Just because some teachers try to take advantage, please don’t assume we all do. Some actually do have legitimate reasons to go, and most will be content to stay and experience the holiday season with the families and students we serve. We choose to work and live and stay in Nunavut because we love our students.
and we love you and teachers like you. Thank you for making Nunavut your home too, nothing shows love for people and students like saying I love where they’re from too, and making the best of time together.
Some teachers have family they must look after for medical or legal reasons. There is a huge shortage of teachers down south now, so if the Department restricts their travel, these teachers will stay south for better jobs without threats of leave without pay. Many are talking about leaving already. The GN is so hostile to teachers it’s a poor workplace. Teachers can work from isolation so there is no down time.
I’ve heard teacher’s say it is the parent’s responsibility to to teach kids…hummm…what’s the point in sending your child to school if everything supposed to be taught in school is the parent’s responsibility? When are parents notified that their child is falling behind? A third into the school year? Teacher’s do not have resources or tools to help students who are falling behind? I think teacher’s need to step up and take responsibility over students education instead of saying it is the parents responsibility and start working better with students who are falling behind.
Teacher’s leave should be kept at a confidential level, those are personal information the whole territory does not need to know about.
This is the kind of attitude at the root cause of why Nunavut has about the worst educational outcomes in the country. Parents blame teachers for their kid not knowing how to read and write at the level they are supposed to be. What about abysmal attendance rates? Is that our job, too, to shake your kids out of bed in the morning? It’s no wonder teacher turnover is so high in Nunavut. Sad.
I suggest teachers start voting with their feet. After several years of absolute shoddy treatment by the GN education dept, I will be taking my two grade 9 to 12 STEM certifications and going to where my skills will be appreciated. They have very little respect for teachers in the north. Just say no to Nunavut.