• Society

Manitoba Teachers’ Society calling for more school funding: ‘Working conditions are deteriorating’

November 14, 2020 Letitia Denham

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS) says the workload facing teachers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic…

The group said the money is needed primarily to hire more staff — especially substitutes — as well as to provide mental health resources to both staff and students.

Bedford said the society has repeatedly asked the province for a plan for the federal money, but has yet to hear a clear response.

Read more: Winnipeg school divisions prepare for increased COVID-19 restrictions amid spike in cases

He said teachers are telling the union they’re on the brink of burning out, especially since the province put further restrictions in place for schools in Winnipeg in an effort to curb significant increases in cases counts since the school year started.

There’s also not enough substitutes available to meet system needs, Bedford said, warning an MTS poll of members that showed nine in 10 Manitoba are reporting high levels of stress this school year.

Video: Manitoba tightens restrictions on schools in Winnipeg Metro, northern regions, in response to rising COVID-19 numbers

“This is unreasonable and unsustainable … Teachers have reached a breaking point,” he said.

“Teachers are looking to the province to invest in education, and once again their cry is falling on deaf ears.”

Read more: Some Winnipeg schools calling for full-day mask-wearing for all students, staff

When asked about the union’s concerns Thursday, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said the province had the “second highest per capita investment in the country” before COVID-19 hit, and pointed to $100 million in additional money promised for school divisions since the school year started.

He said education money from the federal government will be available throughout the school year.

Video: New Winnipeg school restrictions

Pointing to a recent survey by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, which showed 86 per cent of Manitoba respondents were concerned about being able to maintain their own health, Bedford said the funding is urgently needed and can’t come soon enough.

“Teachers need some relief. Not in a week. Not in a month. They need it now,” he said.

Read more: Winnipeg schools ready for start of strangest school year in recent memory

“Without additional teachers, without access to substitutes, without addressing the mental health impacts of a pandemic, the public education system is in danger of collapsing.

“Teachers can no longer carry the load without help from government.”

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.