Editor, The Times:
Re: Kamloops-Thompson Teachers’ Association president David Komljenovic’s letter of Dec. 10 (‘B.C.’s latest education boondoggle’):
I would like to ask Komljenovic what other duties he has as KTTA president, other than openly complaining about most new developments in the Ministry of Education.
I would enjoy hearing just one positive thing, in his opinion, the government has done correctly on behalf of all involved in the education system, including students.
I can think of a few positive things.
First, having a new contract with our teachers and, second, the B.C. government’s aim to better manage sick leave via its attendance-management program recently mandated to be supported by school districts.
Basically, it comes down to the B.C. Public School Employer’s Association aiming to better manage excessive staff absences (which result in high teacher on-call costs) and thus being able to take action in the form of a meeting with the staff member.
The B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) states it has programs in place to support teachers who do not show up for work a lot and argues its members have no requirement to meet with administration on matters of their work attendance.
The BCTF is specifically advising its members not to attend any meeting requested by administration staff on the topic of absenteeism from work without a union representative present.
I have met many terrific professional teachers who are dedicated and invested in their job.
Is it not the job of government and the union to ensure all employees are fulfilling their work obligations and not misusing the system, thereby driving education costs unnecessarily higher?
Absenteeism that becomes excessive, or the misuse of sick leave, needs to be addressed — and who better to take that first step than administration staff?
It is unfair to the dedicated teachers if absenteeism of co-workers is not addressed.
Our children are negatively affected by prolonged and repeated teacher absenteeism. It is challenging for students to adapt to both a new teaching style and changes in curriculum delivery and there is a loss of teaching time as children get used to a new teacher.
It is reasonable that the government has tools in place to manage and discipline unfair use of very generous employee benefits/supports.
Education is something for which we all pay.
T. Hasler
Kamloops, B.C.