College of Teachers requests changes to Bill 160
October 16 1997
TORONTO The professional college responsible for regulating Ontarios
teaching profession is recommending that Education and Training Minister Dave
Johnson withdraw clauses in Bill 160 that would give the minister the power
to add non-certified teachers to the provinces schools.
A special session of the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers today
voted to recommend the withdrawal of parts of sections 81 and 118 of the bill.
The motion passed by the Council said the sections "undermine the College's
public accountability for ethical and professional standards in Ontarios classrooms."
The College of Teachers is a self-regulating body created by the Ontario legislature
in 1996 to regulate the teaching profession in the public interest. It sets
ethical and professional standards for teachers, establishes teaching qualifications
and accredits education program providers and programs.
The College's governing council is made up of 17 teachers elected from the
profession and 14 public members appointed by the government.
Donna Marie Kennedy, chair of the College, said that she looks forward to
discussing the College's position with the minister next week. "We had a very
open and honest discussion today and I hope the same mood prevails in our meeting
with Mr. Johnson. Council kept our focus on the public interest, which is our
mandate as the professional body for teachers."
College Registrar Margaret Wilson said, "There are a number of troubling questions
about the proposal to create a second class of teachers in Ontario schools
who would not be regulated by the College. What outlet will parents and others
have to deal with incompetent and unfit instructors? Who will determine the
suitability of these individuals to work in Ontario classrooms and what standards
will their performance be judged against?"
College officials are scheduled to meet with Dave Johnson, Minister of Education
and Training on Monday, October 20 at 9 a.m. The College will then present
a brief to the standing committee reviewing Bill 160 at 1:30 p.m. the same
day.
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For more information:
Denys Gigure
Media Relations Officer
416-961-8800 ext. 221
Ontario College of Teachers
Motion
October 16, 1997
Whereas the Legislature granted the teaching profession the right of
self regulation and assured the public that the profession would be accountable
by establishing the Ontario College of Teachers on June 27th, 1996 and
Whereas the Ontario College of Teachers is responsible -- and publicly
accountable -- for regulating the profession of teaching; for developing, establishing
and maintaining qualifications for membership in the College; for accrediting
teacher education programs; and for establishing and enforcing professional
and ethical standards applicable to members of the College and
Whereas the Minister of Education and Training pledged on July 21,
1997 to consult with the College on issues related to teaching qualifications and
Whereas sections 81 and 118 of Bill 160 will create the need for a
parallel structure to the Ontario College of Teachers and
Whereas sections 81 and 118 of Bill 160 undermine the College's public
accountability for ethical and professional standards in Ontario's classrooms
Be it resolved
That
The Council of the Ontario College of Teachers recommend to the Minister
of Education and Training that references to clauses 170.1 (3) (e), (4),
and (5) of the Education Act as outlined in section 81 of Bill 160, and clause
262 (2) of the Education Act as outlined in section 118 of Bill 160 be withdrawn.
