Skip to content

Recess in jeopardy in Penticton-area schools

Okanagan Skaha School District may eliminate breaks if non-unionized staff unable to safely cover for teachers
18471penticton0418teachersstrike2
Some of the hundreds of local teachers off the job on the first day of the BC Teachers' Federation walkout in March 2012.

School officials may cancel recess and restrict pick-up and drop-off times for students in response to the first phase of teachers’ job action.

Local parents were sent a letter Tuesday warning that the Okanagan Skaha School District is considering the measures.

Superintendent Wendy Hyer said the district may have to take such action if it  determines administrators and non-unionized staff can’t adequately cover supervision duties and maintain student safety.

Beginning today, teachers will have limited communication with administrators and no longer supervise students outside of their classrooms. The job action is meant to put pressure on the B.C. government to hammer out a deal with the province’s teachers, who have been without a contract since June 2013.

Later phases of protest could include rotating one-day walkouts and a full strike.