Students in Regina and Prince Albert will need to wear masks when classes start. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Back to school

NLSD closes teacher shortage for 2020, masks ‘could’ be mandated for Sept.

Aug 12, 2020 | 3:26 PM

The Northern Lights School Division (NLSD) needs to hire one more teacher to be ready for when classes begin next month.

That’s a major change from only two years ago when the school division was short 15 teachers at the end of August. The situation improved in 2019 as nine teachers were still needed by that time, but it appears Northern Lights has closed the teacher shortage in northern Saskatchewan for 2020.

As for why the gap has suddenly closed, NLSD Director of Education Jason Young believes it’s a mix of school division efforts, as well as uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think we have been working at strategies to try and attract teachers,” he said. “That’s one approach, but you also have to look at the retention side and retention we keep working at. I would like to see fewer teachers leave. If we have fewer teachers leave, that means less recruitment.”

This year NLSD benefitted from 21 Bachelor of Education graduates from La Loche who received their degrees back in May. Many of the students who completed the Dene Teacher Education Program were hired to teach at schools in the community.

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The division also heavily promotes the idea of ‘mitho-pimatisowin’ – the good life. The Cree term refers to certain traits Elders in northern Saskatchewan have identified as core values to live by like respect and caring for others, fostering good spirit, being welcoming, serving and providing for family and more.

“In comparison to last year, we were probably sitting at 10 to 15, so we are in a much better position in terms of recruitment of teachers this year,” Young said. “We are very pleased at where we are at in terms of being able to staff all of our schools this year.”

The NLSD also recently released its back to school plan, which sets out how staff will ensure students will be safe as the pandemic continues. While the division is currently on the first level of the Saskatchewan Safe Schools Plan, Young said by the time classes begin that could change and masks could be mandatory.

School divisions in Regina and Prince Albert have already announced Grades 4 to 12 students will be required to wear masks when classes start.

“As we get closer to the school start date, things could change and we could see the recommendation come … that it should be mandated,” Young said. “At this time, we are following the recommendations from our deputy-medical health officer locally here in the North. They advise that rather than use the word mandate to use the word recommend. It’s prudent we follow the advice of the health officials and we are doing that.”

If masks are mandated, Young noted NLSD will need to ensure they have enough personal protective equipment to do so. He also mentioned a decision would have to be made when it comes to non-compliance in such matters.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno