Wynne admits practice of seniority-based hiring of teachers needs fixing

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says a regulation that forces Ontario school boards to hire teachers based on seniority for long-term supply jobs may have been an “over-correction” and that her government is looking to change it.

The government said it introduced Regulation 274 to prevent nepotism and favouritism in hiring practices, but critics charge that seniority-based hiring will exacerbate the unemployment crisis hurting new teachers. The provision requires that principals hire from within the first five teachers on the seniority list for long-term occasional contracts, instead of simply picking the person they believe is best suited for a position. Long-term supply jobs are traditionally the steppingstone to permanent positions.

On Wednesday, Ms. Wynne conceded that the government may have gone too far with the regulation.  (more...)

Wynne admits practice of seniority-based hiring of teachers needs fixing