Ontario allows retired teachers to work more days amid staffing shortages

Ontario has announced retired teachers will now be allowed to work more days to help offset COVID-19-related staff shortages at schools.

The province reached a deal with the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) that would allow retirees to work in the public school system for 95 days, nearly double the previous limit of 50.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement that staffing shortages were an issue even before the Omicron variant drove up absence rates.

“We are seeing staff shortages impacting all sectors of the economy. Well before Omicron came to Ontario, school boards were reporting high rates of absenteeism from education staff. We need staff in order to continue providing live teacher-led remote learning and safely operate our schools when students return to in-person learning,” said Lecce. “That is why we have now secured an agreement with the Ontario Teachers’ Federation that will deliver access to thousands of teacher-qualified educators that will help keep schools open and safe.”

The retired teachers will help run remote schooling programs as well as in-person learning when students return to classes.

The OTF says it does not anticipate many retirees are interested in working “in the current environment” and says more measures should be taken to address the teacher shortage.