Teacher Shortage in Remote First Nations Communities Widespread

Strategic Insights -

Sheryl White, the director of education at the God's Lake Narrows First Nation School Board, has been visiting job fairs throughout the year to entice graduates to teach at the school, offering a $7,000 signing bonus and other perks. Despite her efforts, vacancies remain, with no one to teach textile and industrial arts, food classes, or music this year or last. The need for teachers is widespread in communities like Ms. White's, where data from Apply to Education shows 18% of available teaching positions are from First Nations, despite First Nations schools making up only 3% of schools in Canada.

Key Takeaways:

  • Remote First Nations communities face a persistent teacher shortage, exacerbated by high living costs, limited housing options, and recent graduates' preference to stay closer to home.
  • The problem is particularly acute this year, with 18% of available teaching positions from First Nations, despite First Nations schools making up only 3% of schools in Canada.
  • The high-school graduation rate for Indigenous youth living on reserve is just 46%, compared to 91% for non-Indigenous youth, highlighting the importance of qualified teachers in Indigenous communities.
  • Closing the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth could have massive economic benefits, estimated at up to $233-billion by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards over the 2021 to 2041 period.
  • Various measures, including student loan forgiveness, equity and benefits, and northern living bonuses, could help solve the teacher shortage in remote Indigenous communities.
  • Implementing programs like the federal government's $30,000 student loan forgiveness program for teachers working in rural and remote communities after graduation could help address the problem of high turnover and its effects on students.
  • Other barriers, such as interrupting pensionable service and losing seniority, also prevent teachers from choosing a remote community.

Statistics:

  • 18% of available teaching positions in Canada are from First Nations, despite First Nations schools making up only 3% of schools in Canada (Apply to Education).
  • High-school graduation rate for Indigenous youth living on reserve: 46% (Statistics Canada).
  • High-school graduation rate for non-Indigenous youth: 91% (Statistics Canada).
  • 37% of First Nations youth aged 19 to 30 have completed or recently attended a postsecondary program, compared to 72% of non-Indigenous youth (Statistics Canada).
  • Estimated economic benefits of closing the education gap: up to $233-billion over the 2021 to 2041 period (Centre for the Study of Living Standards).

Sources:

  • Sheryl White, director of education at the God's Lake Narrows First Nation School Board.
  • Deanna Matthews, president of Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada.
  • Leyton Schnellert, co-lead of the Rural and Remote Teacher Education Program at the University of British Columbia.
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
  • Statistics Canada.
  • Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
  • Apply to Education.
  • Clint Johnston, president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation.
  • Mary Hill, K-8 principal at Eenchokay Birchstick School in Pikangikum First Nation.
  • Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada.