School Boards and Ontario College of Teachers Discuss Teaching Qualifications and Discipline Issues
October 16 1998
TORONTO – More than 100 education directors and human resources representatives
from school boards across the province met today at the Ontario College of
Teachers to discuss teaching qualifications, College membership requirements
and disciplinary issues.
The College organized the meeting to inform school boards of the work and
accomplishments of its first year, clarify the roles and responsibilities of
the boards and the College and encourage continued co-operation.
"I am pleased by the level of co-operation between school boards across the
province and the College," said College Chair Donna Marie Kennedy. "We are
working very closely together to ensure that Ontario teachers are highly-qualified
and that teachers trained outside the province take the necessary courses they
need to meet Ontario’s standards, which are more stringent than those of many
other jurisdictions."
The College stressed the importance of making sure that all teachers in publicly-funded
schools are members in good standing of the College to ensure the best education
possible for Ontario students. As the profession’s regulatory body, the College
is the only organization in the province that can assure parents that teachers
are fully qualified.
The meeting is part of a series of meetings with school boards, faculties
of education and the general public to explain the mandate and responsibilities
of the College. The College will host a community information session in January
for parents, community groups and the general public.