New act to restore confidence in teaching profession

The Province introduced legislation Wednesday to create a more accountable and transparent teacher regulation system to better protect children and put the public interest first.

The Teachers Act sets up a new system to certify, regulate and discipline teachers through shared responsibility between government and the education sector.

A key part of the new structure will be a new Discipline and Professional Conduct Board to hear complaints made against teachers. As a result, greater balance will be restored to disciplinary processes for the profession.

The changes respond to concerns identified in a fact-finder’s report by former education deputy minister Don Avison, as well as input received from education sector partners. Avison’s report, A College Divided, was released last year and found that the college had lost the confidence of B.C.’s education community.

The new act repeals the Teaching Profession Act and dissolves the BC College of Teachers, replacing it with a 15-member British Columbia Teachers’ Council that represents all members of the education community.

The council will set standards for teachers with respect to conduct, competency and certification. 

The new nine-member Disciplinary and Professional Conduct Board will be drawn from the members of the Teachers’ Council and supported by a commissioner appointed by government.

The board will deal with complaints and reports about alleged teacher misconduct and certification appeals. Each disciplinary hearing will be held by three members; one of whom will be a member of the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF).

The Ministry of Education will take over the college’s administrative functions. Government certification of teachers is the norm in all other provinces except for Ontario.