(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Province proposes hiring commissioner to oversee complaints regarding teachers

Mar 31, 2022 | 3:30 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Government is taking more steps to ensure teachers can be held accountable in the event that complaints are issued.

Bill 15, the Education (Reforming Teacher Profession Discipline) Amendment Act, 2022, has been introduced into the legislature.

If approved, it would create the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission and appoint an arm’s-length commissioner that would oversee teacher and teacher leader conduct and competency complaints.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says the government is committed to putting student safety at the forefront of their disciplinary processes.

“I want parents and the public to have peace of mind and know that we are improving accountability in the process, enhancing the reputation of the teaching profession, and increasing public assurance when it comes to oversight of discipline matters.”

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In a press release, the province states that Bill 15 would create similar oversight seen in other regulated professions such as nursing.

Wilco Tymensen, President of the College of Alberta School Superintendent, says that strengthening the overall duty to report incidents involving teachers will enhance public assurance and student safety.

“Placing students as the first priority in the education system and promoting the public interest in this regard are essential values to uphold for regulated members within the College of Alberta School Superintendents. Therefore, CASS supports aligning conduct and competence discipline processes for all teachers, principals, and system leaders in our province.”

Bill 15 builds on the Students First Act that was introduced late last year.

Starting in September 2022, there will be a public online database that will allow people to view the status of their teacher and teacher leaders’ certificates, including whether those certificates have been suspended or cancelled due to unprofessional conduct or incompetence.

READ MORE: Proposed Act would allow parents to see if teachers have been professionally disciplined