The BC Teachers Federation President elect heard one issue loud and clear when she met with local teachers here in Kamloops.

Teri Mooring says the biggest issue in the region by far is staffing.

“Definitely some of the local issues in Kamloops are around recruitment and retention of teachers. I know that Kamloops has the same issues as in a lot of especially smaller communities, and northern communities outside of the lower mainland, but it is in the lower mainland as well. But it is in the lower mainland as well where there just aren’t enough teachers teaching on call to replace teachers when they are sick.”

Mooring says as a result special needs teachers are often then shifted over to fill teaching gaps.

“What that often means unfortunately is that students with special needs end up having their program cancelled or postponed and that is not fair.”

Mooring says there several ways to tackle the problem.

“One there is loan forgiveness programs that used to be in place in northern areas but are no longer. Also we are in bargaining and we need a competitive salary.”

She says the province has committed to training more teachers, which is good for the long term, but short term solutions are also needed.