My Speeches

Questions on Teacher's Pension Plan

Posted on Nov 22, 2007

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Battle River-
Wainwright,
followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-
Calder.

2: 00 Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was a teacher in my previous life. It is one of the most meaningful and noble of all professions, and its role is second only to parents in producing a successful next generation. I’ve seen many, some of the best, teachers, many young and energetic teachers, leave the profession to pursue other interests. To the Minister of Education: given that recruitment and retention are critical to the future of this province and our students, does the minister have information or statistics to indicate the significance of this trend or its impact on the profession, the school system, and our students?

Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that some 30 per cent of teachers within five years exit the profession. It’s hard to put a number or a specific percentage on why a particular teacher leaves, but clearly in my meetings with teachers across the province in the last 11 months and especially with those who are new to the
profession, they have indicated to me that paying for a liability that they had no part in creating was something that they felt was unfair. We have fixed that.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the new pension deal will attract and retain more teachers, and I think many Alber-tans agree with that, but proof and evidence are important. Does the minister have evidence that would show that the recent agreement for Alberta taxpayers to assume $ 2 billion of the unfunded liability will solve the recruitment and retention issue?

Mr. Liepert: Well, I guess, Mr. Speaker, only time will tell. There are a number of factors as to why teachers leave the profession, and some of them we have little or no control over. However, this is one that we clearly have control over, and we’ve taken action. Teachers will have the 3.1 per cent no longer taken off their paycheques. In addition to that, they will have a salary based on the weekly earnings index for the next four years and 3 per cent this year. I believe it will keep the majority of new teachers in the profession for much long than in the past.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The pension plan liability issue has been resolved, but it’s not a magic bullet for retention and attraction of professionals. Is the government considering other options to ensure that the best teachers stay in the profession for our students?

Mr. Liepert: One of the things, Mr. Speaker, that I think we need to do is recognition. Last night at the School Boards Association opening ceremonies they presented what was called the Edwin Parr award, and it is for first-
year teachers. There were some seven
recipients last year, and for those members in the House who were in attendance, I think everyone who was there will say how literally blown away we were with the quality of these young teachers. I believe that recognition either through such awards as the Edwin Parr award or our own excellence in teaching award – I would strongly encourage all members to nominate teachers in their constituencies for what is a very well received recognition of their work.