School principals across the Northwest Territories are calling for better housing, more access to substitute teachers and more trained educators after the results of a recent survey were made public this week.

The Northwest Territories TeachersSA国际影视传媒� Association (NWTTA) revealed the findings of its Hiring, Housing and Substitute Survey that was circulated among the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 48 principals from 49 schools between Oct. 9 and Oct. 29.

Among some of the eye-catching results included that 21 out of 48 administrators didnSA国际影视传媒檛 fill all of their positions this year. Across the NWT, 36 positions remained vacant.

SA国际影视传媒淚n some of those schools, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 three positions,SA国际影视传媒� NWTTA president Matthew Miller pointed out. SA国际影视传媒淧eople are still trying to fill those positions and you canSA国际影视传媒檛 just have a classroom open.SA国际影视传媒�

Miller said not having a full complement of staff can have direct impacts on the school community. For example, he pointed out that in schools where there are SA国际影视传媒渟pecialist teachers,SA国际影视传媒� such as those who have a particular focus in music or art or program support, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 often a need to fill gaps in general classroom teaching.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome of those teachers are now in as classroom teachers rather than providing those other specialty areas,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

The survey also looked at the how the availability and affordability of accommodations impacted the education system. At least 11 of the 36 vacant positions were directly tied to a lack of housing in a community, although there could be a few more than that because some replies to the question indicated that respondents werenSA国际影视传媒檛 sure if housing was an issue, Miller said.

The union president added that it hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been uncommon in the past where new teachers entering new communities have had to share accommodations with multiple roommates, which can provide an awkward and challenging circumstance.

SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes people are forced to live with their administration, or administration is forced to be living with their staff, and that doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 always work out either,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not sure if youSA国际影视传媒檇 like to live with your boss or not, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 not always a sustainable situation.SA国际影视传媒�

More needs to be done to prepare for the intake of professionals in communities, he contended.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are community members, obviously, without housing as well but if we want professionals to go in then we need to address it because teachers need affordable, adequate and available housing,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e not looking for gold toilets. Teachers are looking for ones that flush.SA国际影视传媒�

Substitutes

Miller said a major item that the survey addresses is the lack of access to substitute teachers when a teacher needs a day off SA国际影视传媒� a phenomenon that has become especially apparent since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

SA国际影视传媒淔orty-two out of 48 administrators said they donSA国际影视传媒檛 have enough substitute teachers, which is quite alarming,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒漇ubbing is a problem year to year, but I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think we have heard it being a problem to this extent.

SA国际影视传媒淭eachers are feeling guilty if they have to take a day, and theySA国际影视传媒檙e starting to realize when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no subs that itSA国际影视传媒檚 their colleagues that are covering their class,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

When teachers have to cover for one another, it cuts into the time they have to do their regular work, leading to longer days by working through lunch hours, evenings or weekends. Burnout can result.

SA国际影视传媒淲orkload is definitely one of those things that weSA国际影视传媒檙e focusing on and itSA国际影视传媒檚 really creating an issue with our teachers for their work/life balance,SA国际影视传媒� said Miller.

Retention

Miller said the biggest overall objective in NWT education is not only attracting teachers to the North but also retaining them. Being able to create and maintain a teacher-student relationship where young people are excited to go to school and learn is of particular concern in Northern communities.

SA国际影视传媒淭eachers are our number one asset to enhance education here in the Northwest Territories and we need people that are going to come here and make relationships in our communities, with our our students and our families,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淏y making those connections, I think weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to see the results that we all want to see.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒 contacted school boards and the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment for comment on the survey results, but was awaiting responses as of publication deadline.