The province is still grappling with a shortage of teachers almost two years after a landmark court ruling restored class size and composition mandates triggering a hiring frenzy.

BCTF President Glen Hansman says while a lot of headway has been made on the issue there is still a need for more teachers to be hired.

“Still concerned. It is week 16 of the school year and there is still over 400 vacancies around the province. That does not include the number of teachers on call that we still need. Or the number of certified teachers that are needed to replace people who are not actually trained teachers who are presently working in school districts like Peace River north and south. In communities like Burns Lake or in the Nechako.”

Hansman says stopgap measures, while nice, are no replacement for properly trained and qualified teachers.

He says it is very difficult to recruit for, and even retain, teachers in some parts of the province due to affordability and housing issues.

B.C.’s Education minister is striking a more optimistic tone when discussing teacher vacancies.

Rob Fleming says while some issues remain, especially in rural B.C. and with a shortage of French teacher specialists, by in large the teacher shortage issue that plagued districts last school year has diminished.

“There will be student teachers this spring working in classrooms, learning their craft, ahead of being available for full time work next year. We have turned a corner. I would add too that the number of postings that are unfilled today is at or below the level in 2015 pre-Supreme Court decision. In other words we are sort of back where we were prior to the massive opening up of thousands of new positions.”

Fleming says the vast majority of school districts in B.C. have hired to fill their needs.

On the french teacher front Fleming says more teacher are arriving from France and are being certified to teach in this province.