Released on July 25, 2014
The Government of Saskatchewan, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and other education stakeholder groups, has appointed an eight person transition committee to develop a new regulatory body to handle teacher certification and discipline in Saskatchewan.
Government initiated the change to provide Saskatchewan teachers with the same authority and responsibility as other self regulated professions in the province. The body will regulate who is a member of the profession and will oversee disciplinary functions for misconduct or incompetence. A memorandum of agreement between the Government of Saskatchewan and STF has been signed in support of transitioning to this new regulatory model.
“The current process for regulating teachers in Saskatchewan is particularly complex, and work needs to be done to increase transparency of the process,” Minister of Education Don Morgan said. “This new regulatory body will enhance the integrity of the teaching profession in our province, and it puts students’ safety at the forefront.”
The transition committee consists of the following representatives: Clint Repski for the Ministry of Education; Gwen Dueck and Fay Elke for the STF; Kyle McIntyre for the League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents (LEADS); Elizabeth Perreault for the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA); Keith Frame for the First Nations Directors of Education; Gerry Hurton for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN); and Derwyn Crozier-Smith as a member of the public.
Government has been in discussions with sector partners, including STF, LEADS, SSBA, and the FSIN since November 2013. During consultations in January 2014, each of these groups, along with the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, outlined their roles and interest in teacher regulation in Saskatchewan, identified key issues and proposed next steps.
The transition committee will communicate and consult with teachers, parents, students and the public over the next year as they develop the bylaws and structure of the new regulatory body, and will provide regular updates to the sector through their representatives.
The new regulatory body is expected to be in operation by fall 2015.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506