Chronic Underfunding Could Trigger Early Exodus from Profession
On Thursday May 21, more than 350 educators from across Manitoba will gather at the RBC Convention Centre for the 107th Annual General Meeting of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society.
This year’s AGM is taking place against the backdrop of a public education system under growing strain after almost a decade of underfunding.
Teachers across Manitoba are reporting larger class sizes, increasing classroom complexity and rising workload pressures.
“Teachers are being asked to do more with less every single year,” said MTS President Lillian Klausen. “What educators are experiencing in classrooms is not isolated or temporary. It is the direct result of years of inadequate investment in public education.”
The concerns being raised at this year’s AGM are reflected in recent member polling conducted by The Manitoba Teachers’ Society:
- 84 per cent of educators report feeling stressed;
- 77 per cent say they feel overwhelmed by the emotional demands of the job;
- 40 per cent are considering leaving the profession early;
- 53 per cent say workload is the main reason they would leave teaching early;
Teachers responding to the survey pointed directly to the growing gap between student needs and available supports.
“I would stay in the profession if we had trained specialists in school providing support to our learners with exceptional needs,” wrote one Manitoba educator.
Another respondent said: “I would stay in the profession if there were less demands on me outside of the regular course load.”
The issue of educator mental wellness will be a key focus of debate on the AGM floor. Delegates will consider a resolution calling on The Society to establish a dedicated Mental Wellness Grant to support Local-level initiatives for members facing increasing workplace stressors and burnout.
The resolution notes that while centralized supports exist, Locals currently lack dedicated funding to respond to community-specific mental wellness needs affecting educators.
These numbers should concern every Manitoban,” said Klausen. “When educators are overwhelmed, burned out, and considering leaving the profession in large numbers, it is a clear signal that the system is under severe strain. That has real consequences for students, for schools, and for the future of public education in this province.”
Klausen says the AGM will focus not only on the governance business of The Society and the growing pressures facing public education, but also on bringing educators together from across Manitoba at a time when schools are being asked to absorb the impacts of years of underfunding.
“In addition to dealing with urgent system pressures, this AGM is about collective problem solving among professionals who are on the front lines of public education every day,” said Klausen. “Teachers know what is happening in their classrooms, and they are sharing that expertise with one another. But we need help and that requires real, sustained investment in public education.”
Delegates will also vote on many resolutions which are a direct result of The Society’s recent strategic plan, approve the budget, set annual membership fees, and elect members to its Provincial Executive.
The 107th AGM runs from Thursday May 21 – Saturday May 23 at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg (South Building) and is open to media.
Agenda highlights:
Thursday May 21 10:30 a.m.
- President’s Address, Lillian Klausen
- CTF President’s Address, Clint Johnston
- MFL President’s Address, Kevin Rebeck
- Minister’s Address, The Honourable Tracy Schmidt