Re: Teachers leaving parents in the dark (Don Descoteau, Nov. 4)
Don Descoteau complains about the lack of communication between the teachers of his children and their parents.
Neither Mr. Descoteau nor his partner is able to attend a meeting during business hours, ever. Nor are they able to understand written emails. How about using the telephone? I am sure they will have a conversation that way that will lay to rest all their concerns.
However, one has to wonder how this family has managed to get through life. Unlike the rest of us they have never had to take an extended lunch or leave work a little early in order to attend a medical or dental appointment, visit a lawyer, meet a banker, attend a funeral. Really?
Methinks Mr. Descoteau should vent his spleen on the provincial government, which has ruthlessly slashed spending on public education over the last decade by illegally shredding the teachers’ legal contract, stripping $275 million a year from educational finance, while increasing the already generous subsidies to private schools.
Moreover, they should be aware those hard working teachers are now some of the lowest paid in the country. All teachers ask is that they be paid a Canadian average salary. How terrible is that?
As teachers are laughably labeled an “essential service,” as are those dealing with life and death situations, they are able to take only minimal job action. And the action they have taken is deemed legal by the Labour Relations Board.
Bert Slater
North Saanich