Schools have reopened in the Yukon this week, but there are numerous vacant teaching positions that still need to be filled, according to education officials. Ruth Burridge, who is the president of the Yukon Association of Education Professionals, has highlighted the ongoing national teacher shortage as a contributing factor to the current situation in the Yukon.
The Yukon education department has reported 18 job vacancies in its schools spread across the territory. Additionally, the Yukon First Nation School Board, which manages 11 schools, is facing 21 educator vacancies, including two principal positions. These vacancies are particularly prevalent in rural and remote communities, where the board has historically experienced high staff turnover rates.
Despite ending the previous school year with only six vacant positions, which was close to a record low, the board has seen an increase in vacancies in the past month. Dana Tizya-Tramm, a trustee and co-chair of the board, emphasized the challenges of recruiting quality educators, especially in late August.
Recruiting and retaining educators in rural areas present unique challenges, such as housing shortages in communities like Ross River, which often lead to losing potential candidates. Tizya-Tramm also mentioned the territory’s relocation and community allowance benefits as additional obstacles to attracting new teaching staff.
The staffing shortages have put pressure on overall school operations, with impacts on principals, education assistants, students, teachers, and the community as a whole. Tizya-Tramm called for increased collaboration between the territory, school authorities, and union partners to address the vacant positions.
In response to the issue, the Yukon Department of Education stated that they are implementing various measures, including recruitment efforts, rural retention incentives, housing assistance, and additional resources for teachers on call.