I just read the results of the latest BCTF vote to continue the good fight. I had some sympathy for the union’s stance up to this point.
Out of 41,000 members, 21,625 voted in favour of discontinuing extracurricular activities while 7,846 were against.
What happened to the rest of the members and how can teachers who do not participate in extracurricular activities vote on this matter? Only members who actively coach and contribute their time outside of the classroom should be allowed to vote.
This organization has taken upon itself to dictate how teachers should or shouldn’t spend time with outside activities they enjoy as much as they enjoy teaching.
The idea that stopping extracurricular activities will make the public more aware of the plight of the teacher’s contract situation just flies in the face of everything that they have made us try to believe about it all being for the kids.
Those teachers who do coach, or have outside clubs, connect with kids in a different way and very often encourage better classroom performance by enhancing the school experience. Tell me how this encourages the kid who might be in line for an athletic scholarship or the opportunity to attend a summer drama program, or who was counting on a scout watching them perform at a track meet or the golf provincials?
Many children can’t afford community activities so their only outlet is a school based-program. How have we enhanced their view of teachers and unions?
I hope that we can let the 10-20 per cent of the teachers who have willingly given their time realize how much we appreciate their dedication to students. How can a union membership tell volunteers that they can’t do activities on their own time?
This dispute should not use student activities and volunteers as part of their strategy.
Penny Hecker