Auditor General John Noseworthy just-released report has revealed more than 400 teachers receiving pension benefits while also being rehired and earning a salary.
Noseworthy’s report says 443 teachers earned $5.2 million in salary in 2009 while receiving pension benefits of $15.6 million.
“We examined a sample of 138 and found that, contrary to the Teachers’ Pension Act and/or Government policy, none had the required approval from the Minister of Finance, 60 were rehired for in excess of 65 days without having their pension benefits suspended, six were employed for three years through the use of multiple applications to the Minister of Education, and there were four instances where retired teachers were hired even though numerous non-retired teachers had applied,” wrote Noseworthy in the report.
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In its response, the government’s Executive Council notes the government decided to eliminate mandatory retirement in 2007, allowing for the rehiring of pensioners, but acknowledged the need to better monitor compliance with the policy.
In a review of 138 instances of school districts applying to the education minister to rehire pensioners for full-time teaching positions, the auditor general also found:
• None of the 138 applications were approved by the finance minister, contrary to the Teachers’ Pension Act. The applications were instead approved by the education minister;
• Sixty teachers were rehired for more than 65 days, without having their pension benefits suspended, as required by the Teachers’ Pension Act;
• Retired teachers were hired for four positions, even though there at least 73 applications from non-retired teachers, in contravention of department policy.
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I can relate to the overwhelming frustration many ex-teachers and current substitute teachers are experiencing. I have been substitute teaching in the metro area for over 8 years and have 3 degrees. I apply for many postions each year, but can not seem to get an interview even for the 0.25 time positions. I have went down to the board office to ask why I am not even getting pool postion interviews, while I know of other teachers with fewer years in the system and who do not have their special education degree getting interviews!! Also, I have made appointments to speak with a human resource officer at the Eastern School District office in person, but they always call back and tell me over the phone that its no need to come into the board office because they can reassure me that they "HIRE ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED AND SUITABLE CANIDATE for all positions". I guess they use their own interpretation of this statement - meaning who they know best!! Also, as a substitute, I can not believe the archival sysytem that is used today in the 21st century for hiring substitute teachers. That is, its a system frought with favortism and nepotism that I experience each time I get a call to substitute for a day or two a week. For example, the vice -principal or dept head calls who they want to sub, regardless of their years of experience or specialty. In fact, its very common to see a new teacher right out of MUN, with no special education credentials, sub for a special ed teacher who happens to be their mothers friend or husbands hockey buddy. Now, I am not the one to complain without offering solutions that may remedy this huge problem. First, what substitute teachers need is a public sector union similar to the nurses NLNU, NAPE and CUPE. We have a professional association, but we all know that the NLTA is an association that takes care of its tenured staff with their primary mandates of pension indexing and professional development and not new and incoming teachers concerns of fair hiring practises.We all heard Lilly Cole NLTA president say there is nothing wrong with how teachers are hired.So, If we had a union, then new teachers would be hired based upon hours of accumulated seniority and educational qualifications for a particular position.This would remedy the problem of 1st and 2nd year teacher coming out and getting positions ahead of you more experienced and qualified teachers. Secondly, to overcome the problem of favortism in calling substitute teachers, there should be a central agency established apart from the vice-principal to call those on the sub list based on date of hiring and speciality. If those subs are not available then you get who you can to fill in.BASICLY, I AM PREACHING THAT ONLY THOSE WHO PAY THEIR DUES SHOULD BE REWARDED A CAREER AS A FULL TIME TEACHER OR SUBSTITUTE!!!!! NOT THOSE WHO KISS THE RIGHT ASS OR HAS A FAMILY/ FRIEND CONCECTION>. It is only fair to the public to spend their taxes appropriately by hiring only those who have the experience and qualifications to teach their children. Other wise it is a gross mismanagement of public funds.