Provincial funding will allow northern universities to train more teachers

The Ontario government is spending $55.8 million to train up to 2,600 new teachers by 2027, both English and French-language educators.

“Teachers play a vital role in ensuring our children receive a strong start to their education and future careers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

“Through this investment, our government is protecting our children’s future by expanding teaching capacity and bringing more highly qualified teachers to communities across Ontario.”

‘Reach a little bit farther’

Laurentian University in Sudbury will receive funding for 30 seats in the next two years in its francophone Bachelor of Education program.

“This added funding ... allows us to reach a little bit farther,” said Jennifer Scott, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health.

“There were students that, say, that applied but … hadn’t submitted all the documents. So we didn’t go and chase after them. So in this case here, you know what? We’re going to go back and see if they’re interested.”

Scott said there is a shortage of qualified francophone teachers across northern Ontario, from the youngest classes all the way to Grade 12.

“Also, by preparing them within the Sudbury region and here at Laurentian, we’re hoping that they stay in the region to feed out there into our schools,” she said.

Nipissing University is also receiving funding in the next two years for its English Bachelor of Education program.

Officials said the university has been accepting students above its funding cap for years now.

Numbers will jump

“We, of course, receive tuition dollars, but that only covers roughly half of what it costs,” said Dr. Graydon Raymer, Dean of the Faculty of Education.

“Since 2019, we’ve been teaching about 300 more students than what we receive funding (for).”

Raymer said for the last few years, the university has accepted about 450 students, but this year that number could jump to 750.

He said the good news is students getting jobs right out of school is back up to at least 80 per cent -- if not higher.

“Whether it’s full-time employment or students getting, you know, long-term occasional contracts, everything I’m hearing is that students are finding work right away,” Raymer said.

In a statement, CSC Nouvelon director of education Tom Michaud called the new funding “a vital step forward for French-language Catholic education in northern Ontario.”

“Expanding French-language teacher training will help address educator shortages in rural and northern areas while supporting the vitality of French-language education,” Michaud said in the statement.

“By investing in future teachers who share our values and understand the reality of our communities, this initiative ensures Francophone youth will continue to thrive in high-quality learning environments.”

Students interested in education careers can visit My Career Journey to learn more about becoming an elementary and kindergarten teacher or a secondary school teacher.