The Province introduced legislation to create a more accountable and transparent teacher regulation system to better protect children and put the public interest first, Education Minister George Abbott announced.

Photos from the announcement (flic.kr)

The Teachers Act sets up a new system to certify, regulate and discipline teachers through shared responsibility between government and the education sector. A key part of the new structure will be a new Discipline and Professional Conduct Board to hear complaints made against teachers. As a result, greater balance will be restored to disciplinary processes for the profession.

The changes respond to concerns identified in a fact-finder's report by former education deputy minister Don Avison, as well as input received from education sector partners. Avison's report, A College Divided, was released last year and found that the college had lost the confidence of B.C.'s education community.

The new act repeals the Teaching Profession Act and dissolves the BC College of Teachers, replacing it with a 15-member British Columbia Teachers' Council that represents all members of the education community. The council will set standards for teachers with respect to conduct, competency and certification.

The new nine-member Disciplinary and Professional Conduct Board will be drawn from the members of the Teachers' Council and supported by a commissioner appointed by government. The board will deal with complaints and reports about alleged teacher misconduct and certification appeals. Each disciplinary hearing will be held by three members; one of whom will be a member of the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF).

The Ministry of Education will take over the college's administrative functions. Government certification of teachers is the norm in all other provinces except for Ontario.

The Teachers Act was developed in consultation with education partners, including the BCTF.

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963

BACKGROUNDER

Oct. 26, 2011 Ministry of Education

Teachers Act

Structure of new regulatory system

The new British Columbia Teachers' Council will have 15 voting members, including:

• Three teachers from the BCTF.
• Five teachers elected by teachers on a regional basis.

Seven members based on nominations from the following partner groups:

• BC School Trustees Association
• BC School Superintendents' Association
• BC Principals' and Vice-principals Association
• BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils
• First Nations Education Steering Committee
• Federation of Independent School Associations
• Association of BC Deans of Education.

The Teachers' Council will also include one non-voting government representative appointed by the minister. The role of the council will be to set standards for teachers in areas such as certification, conduct and competence. It will also have the authority to approve teacher education programs for certification purposes.

The nine-member Disciplinary and Professional Conduct Board will consist of members drawn from the Teachers' Council, and include four members of the BCTF. The government will appoint a commissioner to receive complaints and reports about alleged teacher misconduct, conduct preliminary investigations and - where appropriate - assign members of the board to hold disciplinary hearings in three-member panels. These panels will not include more than one BCTF member.

The panels will have jurisdiction over fitness, conduct and competence and will have the power to revoke, suspend, grant or impose conditions on teaching certificates.

The minister will be responsible for all appointments to the new structure, other than the selection of elected members. The Ministry of Education will take on the administrative functions of the former college, including issuing teaching certificates, maintaining employer and discipline registries and providing administrative support to the council and board.

Independent school teacher certification, discipline and registries, currently under the authority of the Inspector of Independent Schools, will be amalgamated to create a single administrative structure for all B.C. teachers.

The new teacher regulation regime will be operated mostly on a cost recovery basis, with teachers paying fees of $80 per year compared to the current $120 charged by the college.

It is anticipated that the new regulatory system will be up and running early in the new year.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963