Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 08/98) - More than 20 per cent of teachers in the NWT will leave their posts and move on this year.

The president of the NWT Teacher's Association doesn't like that turnover rate. And she has watched the resignation rate escalate in the last couple of years.

"We certainly expected it based on last year. So what we've discovered is this year it's about a 22 per cent turnover, including the West and the East," said Pat Thomas.

"I think 20 per cent is high. The government might say this is normal," she added, noting this is the first year the association has kept track of turnover.

The teacher's contract dispute is the main reason why there has been such a high turnover of teachers in the NWT said Thomas.

Teachers in smaller communities have not welcomed the many changes made recently to the way they are paid.

Basic pay has been cut back, housing allowances have been rolled into their salaries, vacation travel allowances have been lost and compensation for moving costs has been taken away.

"That's significant, those costs. If people work and it's costing them $3,000 to $4,000 to go home to their own home, that's a lot of money. We all know the importance of family," she said.

Before new teachers can be attracted to replace those that have left, the association believes working conditions have to be addressed. Overcrowded classrooms, lack of teacher support, insufficient resources and funds to pay for the cost of old programs and the introduction of new ones top teacher concerns.

"There doesn't seem to be the will on behalf of the government to put a moratorium on new programs. We simply can't do it," said Thomas.

"The question is, do we have the funds in place in order to fulfil our mandate? And we don't," said Thomas.

"That's why I wanted money and I want more funding put into education to improve those learning conditions as well we have to improve the compensation package."

MLAs come on side

MLAs from across the NWT expressed similar concerns about teacher turnover and lack of funding for education over the past couple of weeks.

Both North Slave MLA James Rabesca and Nunakput's Vince Steen touched on the issue of affordable housing for teachers.

"A few years ago our government decided to sell off all staff housing and at the same time raised the rents to market value. This, as we have all heard, has created difficulties for teachers and other staff in our smaller communities," said Rabesca in the legislature late last month.

He pointed out that a new teacher with a degree earns about $46,000 plus a Northern allowance of approximately $6,900. The rent for houses in Rae Lakes is $13,000 a year, plus utilities.

"A single teacher living in Rae-Edzo could pay as low as $6,000 per year. The only difference between these two teachers would be the Northern allowance. Why is there such a difference in rent costs? It is important to encourage teachers to live and work in these smaller communities." said Rabesca.

Vince Steen called upon Finance Minister John Todd to find a way around the GNWT's financial problem by amending the housing policy so teachers can afford adequate housing.

"On a community-by-community basis, I would be prepared to look at it," said Todd.