Dear Colleagues:
Many changes are being made in the area of technology education throughout the province. These changes are affecting a great number of teachers. If you are one of those peope affected by any of the changes outlined below, or if these changes bother you in any way, we strongly urge you to contact the following people and make your concerns known. Each individual must make our elected officials, in the positions of power, understand the impact these changes have on both you and your students. Don't wait another day! Contact them immediately.
Design and Technology Courses:
At the request of the Ministry of Education and the College of Teachers these courses were to be deleted and replaced by one course - Science & Technology. This course would not emphasize any specialized training in the safe use of tools and machinery. It would not provided in one level the knowledge and skills provided in the three level - D&T Specialist Programme.
Thanks to all of our members who wrote letters, made calls and sent faxes to the the people listed below, D&T Part 1, Part 2 and the Specialist Qualifications courses are back once again. These courses will be offered for an additional five years.
Are you one of those people had made plans to obtain a specialist qualification in the near future. Is a specialist qualification required to help you obtain a category change or to lead to teaching assignment in a specialized shop setting? Perhaps you need a specialist certificate to be used towards the acquisiton of a postion of added responsibilty. If this is the case - take advantage of this sunset period.
The Future of Technology Qualifications: DTTO is attempting to become partners with those Science teachers who will be writing the curriculum for the new S&T qualifications course. It is hoped that the end result will lead to teachers who are safety trained and have the necessary skills to work with students in the specialized shop settings which are best suited to teach the technology aspect of the S&T programme.
Please continue to inform the people listed below that we need to be a part of this new S&T programme if our students are to be properly prepard for technology positions in the future.
Qualification Changes:
Have you recently been told that you are no longer allowed to teach Technology courses because your qualifications are not meeting ministry standards? Did you know that if you have 5 - 7 years of experience in a camera shop or in barber school you are qualified to teach secondary technology? A university degree is no longer a requirement. This package also includes a category four placement? In some cases candidates may even be credited with five years teaching experience on the salary grid. Does this mean guidance counsellors are directing children who want to teach in the wrong the direction?
If you are not happy with these issues contact the following people and let them know:
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