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As the province works to negotiate a new contract with Saskatchewan teachers, the government has announced a new fund to help address classroom issues.
The Government of Saskatchewan announced the new Teacher Innovation and Support Fund on Wednesday, saying the $2.5-million pilot project will be used to foster teacher-led solutions in classrooms around the province.
The Ministry of Education said the goal is for “local, innovative ideas (to) be brought forward to continue to enhance our classrooms in such areas as student achievement, student and teacher wellness, and school safety.”
The project will begin immediately, the ministry noted, and will run until the end of the 2024-25 school year. Teachers can apply for up to $75,000 for their ideas.
Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan’s education minister, said the government is committed to hearing directly from teachers when it comes to improving the experience of everybody in the classroom.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is listening to teachers and is engaged in finding practical solutions to improve the classroom environment for teachers and students,” Cockrill said in a statement.
Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill says Saskatchewan is committed to listening to teachers and implementing their ideas through a new pilot fund. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME file photo)
The announcement comes as contract negotiations between the provincial government and Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation remain at an impasse.
The union is insisting that stipulations around class size and class complexity be included in a new contract, while the provincial government has said those issues are best left up to individual school divisions.
Teachers voted overwhelmingly in favour of sanctions in October as the talks stalled, but so far none have been implemented.
Earlier this week, the ministry announced a pilot project aiming to reduce disruptive behaviour in Saskatchewan classrooms.
Samantha Becotte, president of the teachers’ federation, said launching the pilot was “a clear admission” by the government that the issues must be addressed with additional funding.
