Saskatchewan creates new regulatory board for teachers

A new regulatory board has been created for teachers in Saskatchewan.

The Registered Teachers Act will nowestablish the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board (SPTRB).

The SPTRB will now be responsible for teacher certification and discipline in Saskatchewan under the Act.

"Our government is pleased that we have moved one step closer to providing Saskatchewan teachers with the same authority and responsibility as other self-regulated professions in the province, resulting in a more transparent and clear process," said Education Minister Don Morgan in a news release.

"The education stakeholders who have worked with us throughout this transition deserve credit for having the leadership and vision to come together and help establish the SPTRB, which will not only protect the integrity of the teaching profession but continue to protect our most valuable resource - the students," he said.

A board of directors has been appointed to govern the SPTRB. This group consists of seven registered teachers and two members of the public.

The Ministry of Education was previously responsible for certification.The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, and the League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents of Saskatchewan were responsible for discipline for their respective members.

The SPTRB is expected to be in full force by the start of the 2015 fall school year.