Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Resolution (July 01/02) - The annual exodus of teachers from schools in the Northwest Territories has begun.

Each year when school ends, many teachers leave and won't return. Some retire or transfer, but more simply move on.

It's a staff turnover that keeps school administrators busy checking resumes and conducting interviews to fill the vacancies.

For example, at Fort Resolution's Deninu School, five teachers out of eight will not be returning next year.

That includes principal Bill Hurley, who notes all of the positions have already been filled.

Hurley says there is no one common reason for the large turnover. "I think there is a combination of factors."

Curtis Brown, the superintendent of the South Slave Divisional Education Council, says such teacher movement occurs especially in small and isolated communities.

At Lutsel K'e Dene School, there will be a new principal and three new teachers next school year, out of a total staff of seven.

"I'd say that is not unusual," Brown says, noting that a few years ago there was a complete staff turnover in Lutsel K'e.

Brown says teachers typically make a two-year commitment in smaller communities.

"In time, a lot of those people move on," he says. "Everybody has their own reasons why they move on."

However, there are also factors in smaller communities that make in more difficult for teachers.

A major concern is often housing, Brown says, explaining smaller communities have a more limited supply of available houses.

Brown notes that, at one time, the GNWT provided housing for teachers, but now they have to find accommodation on the private market.

It's a similar situation for the Beaufort Delta Divisional Board of Education.

Director of Education James Anderson notes there will be 51 new teachers out of 125 in the board's schools next year, while last year the turnover was 62.

Anderson says teachers usually leave for a combination of reasons.

"Family issues determine it to a large extent," he says.

And he notes, "The cost of housing and the availability of housing have been a major factor."

However, he says the availability of housing varies from community to community. In Holman, housing is not a problem for teachers, unlike in Fort McPherson.

Some teachers go to smaller, isolated communities for short periods for the cultural experience, Anderson says.

"Generally speaking, the larger the community, the greater chance staff will stay," he adds.

In fact, many teachers actually retire in larger communities where they have worked.

Brown notes that, between Fort Smith and Hay River, 11 teachers retired in the two communities last year.