Posted in Society for Quality Education, July 16, 2014, http://www.societyforqualityeducation.org/index.php/blog/read/whos-on-first2
Who Governs Public Education?
That is the burning question. Globally, teacher unions seem to belong to one mindset — that it is teacher unions who should govern public education.
They have three objectives: 1) providing for their members the usual union services relating to pay, benefits, job safety & security; 2) influence over policies and management of their industry; 3) retaining their ideal venue (public schools) in support of social change for an egalitarian world.
It is the second goal — governance — that is now in the process of legal clarification. [This applies to BC at the moment, but will apply to ROC.] This will take years to settle. Meanwhile student education and development will be stunted. Where is Teach for Canada with their six week training for new teachers?
Teacher union erosion of governmental role in education has been chipped away for decades. When governments start to push back, turmoil erupts.
Even today, glee and rejoicing has erupted with the news that the tough Education Secretary, Michael Gove in the UK, has been moved out of the portfolio. Strikes by the NUT (National Union of Teachers) had been imminent.
Next door, the Education Minister, Jeff Johnson, has just been effectively muzzled in pursuing his probe into the extent of incompetency in Alberta public schools. The teacher union made a formal complaint.http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Thomson+Here+Education+Minister+Jeff+Johnson+save+face/10022799/story.html
In Saskatchewan, the teacher union seems to be lining up with BC to stage a strike.
Many point to Finland as a leader in student achievement, a leader in teacher training, a leader in most things educational. Yet, how many know the true nature of governance in Finland? This is what their main spokesperson, Pasi Sahlberg, has to relay:
Pasi was asked the question, “Why aren’t the teachers at the decision-making table?” Answer: “There is a saying … that ‘war is too important to be decided by the military people’ and it’s the same with education. I think education is too important to be decided by teachers – and this has nothing to do with undervaluing teachers’ expertise . . . But the broad issues, the big issues, the principles of education should be based on a more balanced view and that’s why I would only have one practitioner in the room and divide this voice more equally to those who are the key stakeholders, (including) parents and the community members.” [The question was out of 10, how many should be teachers?]
http://eltorofulbright.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-interview-with-pasi-sahlberg.html
Here in BC, with our teacher strike, already projected to October, and with the Finance Minister de Jong also now involved and asking: “Why is it so difficult in this area?” In answer to de Jong’s question, please go back to the three goals of teacher unions, bearing in mind that it’s the leaders who generally speak. And be reminded that in the international brotherhood of teacher unions BCTF is not its own boss — global loyalties apply. (See goals 2 & 3 above