Nunavut still needs 26 teachers as school gets underway
Classes have begun in the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq, and in some Qikiqtani communities
Tuugaalik High School is seen in Naujaat. As the school year gets underway, Nunavut’s Department of Education says it has 26 teacher vacancies to fill. (File photo)
As students head back to school in Nunavut, the Department of Education still needs to fill 26 teaching positions in the territory.
This time last year, the department had 59 vacant teaching positions, the department wrote in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
In the Kivalliq, there are eight vacant positions, with three in Naujaat, two in Coral Harbour, two in Rankin Inlet and one in Whale Cove.
Fifteen teachers still need to be hired in the Qikiqtani region, with four vacancies in Iqaluit, four in Arctic Bay, two in Igloolik, two in Sanikiluaq and one in Pangnirtung, Kinngait and Resolute Bay, respectively.
And in the Kitikmeot, three teachers need to be hired, with two open positions in Taloyoak and one in Gjoa Haven.
The Department of Education also said it has one vacant position for a vice-principal, but did not specify for which school. All other school leadership positions are filled, the department said.
School is already underway for students in the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions, which started as early as Aug. 7 in Baker Lake.
Some schools in the Qikiqtani region have also opened their doors to students and teachers, with students in Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay and Igloolik going back on Aug. 17.
Students in Iqaluit are set to head back to school on Sept. 1.
The department declined Nunatsiaq News’ request for an interview for this story.
In an email, a spokesperson said the department “is continuing to improve recruitment activities, both within Nunavut by promoting the teaching profession as a career opportunity, and outside of Nunavut for positions where qualified Inuit are not available.”
The department also said its 2020-21 recruitment activities included visiting career fairs, sending letters to Canadian universities, an online campaign and placing advertisements in local publications.
In a July 24 news conference, Education Minister David Joanasie said, “It does not appear that COVID-19 has had an impact on educator recruitment this year.”
I am glad more teachers were hired.
My biggest issue is that parents are not allowed in the school. this does not sit well with me. I do not like that i can not check in on my kid when ever i would like (not that i would very often anyway) but being told I can not is very close to the past when kids were taken away from parents. I get that COVID is a concern but if it is so unsafe that parents are not allowed in because of COVID then is it even safe enough to have the schools open? I hug my kid before he goes to school and when he gets home. any sickness that i or he has is shared between us and any sickness that is in the school… is brought home… like it always has. how about instead of not allowing parents in the school enforce the sign in policy so school administration knows what parents have been in the school encase any COVID issues do arise. Not keep us out. and Parents just like dont send your kids to school sick dont go see your kids if your sick.
To clarify, if you as a parent/guardian would like to enter the school, you are asked to seek permission ahead of time and make arrangement.
See pg. 8 of the 2020-21 Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools: Health and Safety
Frequently Asked Questions: https://gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/files/2020-21_school_opening_plan_for_nunavut_schools_-_faqs_-_july_24_2020_-_en.pdf
“Can I enter my child’s school?
Parents and guardians should not enter the school when picking up or dropping off students and must adhere to current public health orders.
If parents need to enter the school for any other reason, they should make arrangements in advance. Unscheduled drop-ins are strongly discouraged.”
My question with this article is that it doesn’t specify why these places are looking for teachers. Is it that no one is applying or that there is no housing.
Let’s see if I’ve got this right.
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Nunavut schools will have smaller class sizes this year. Students will have to sit 2 meters apart in classrooms. Most sports activities have been cancelled, as have most extra-curricular activities.
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But masks are not required and students will ride to and from school in the same over-crowded school buses as last year, following the same schedule as last year.
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Politics, the art of trying to keep everyone happy by giving everyone some of what they want, even if the combination makes no cents.