What You Need to Know
As of today, September 2, 2025, the competency standards for teachers are now in effect. These standards will have significant implications on the teaching profession.
The standards are as follows:
- The teacher has professional knowledge and implements professional instructional methods and practices.
- The teacher is committed to student success, well-being and learning.
- The teacher fosters a safe and inclusive environment.
- The teacher is engaged with Indigenous students, families and communities
- The teacher fosters professional relationships in ways that are consistent with principles of equity, fairness and respect for others.
MTS President Lillian Klausen emphasized that it is crucial that resources accompany the implementation of these standards.
“We need to ensure that the necessary time, funding, and professional development resources are available to support teachers in meeting these new requirements,” she said. “Teachers should not be expected to meet these new standards alone. School divisions must fulfill their obligations to provide the necessary training and resources.”
Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the standards and the examples of what can be used to demonstrate competency. Read here.
What Does This Mean for Me?
Under the new framework, members of the public can now file complaints with the Commissioner of Teacher Professional Conduct, alleging a teacher’s incompetence.
These new standards also raise a number of important questions and concerns. MTS is seeking clarity on several key points:
- Who exactly do these standards apply to? It remains unclear whether the standards extend beyond classroom teachers to include principals, vice-principals and superintendents.
- What does it mean to “maintain a teaching certificate” under this new framework? Teachers deserve clarity about how these standards will be used in certification and renewal processes.
- How will these standards apply to clinicians (e.g., school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, etc.), who work in roles that differ significantly from traditional classroom teaching?
- Who is responsible for monitoring compliance with the standards, and what will that look like in practice? There is concern about how this will impact teachers’ day-to-day responsibilities and professional autonomy.
MTS maintains that competency must be evaluated by school divisions and education professionals, who are best positioned to assess a teacher’s performance in the specific context of their school and classroom.
Next Steps
MTS is in communication with government and is awaiting information on what steps will be put in place to ensure there is a fair and reasonable approach to the implementation of these competencies.
We will be providing ongoing updates and resources on our website and through direct communication. We encourage you to check these resources regularly.
Questions
We’ve developed a FAQ section to help address some of your initial concerns.
Understanding the New Competency Standards for Teachers FAQ English
Understanding the New Competency Standards for Teachers FAQ French