Dale Bass – Kamloops This Week
While he was surprised by its inclusion, David Komljenovic is happy with the $150 tax credit the federal government is giving to teachers.
The president of the Kamloops-Thompson Teachers’ Association said the surprise came from the fact education is a provincial matter.
“But we’ll take it,” he said. “It’s appreciated.”
The credit is focused on money teachers spend for their classroom, an amount Komljenovic said can be in the thousands of dollars.
Fifteen years ago, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation conducted a study of how much of their own money teachers spend on supplies, discovering the average amount was $2,000.
Komljenovic said that amount is more today.
He said having the federal recognition is a positive move, one he hopes inspires the provincial government to act on and provide resources teachers need for classrooms.
The provision in the federal budget allows eligible educators to claim 15 per cent of their classroom expenditures to a maximum of $150. School boards will need to certify the supplies were bought for teaching or otherwise enhancing learning. Receipts will be required.
The suggested list includes anything from art supplies to seeds, board games or educational-support software. The measure will apply for supplies bought on or after Jan. 1 of this year.
Qualified educators include those with a teacher’s certificate or an early-childhood certificate recognized by the province.