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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, MARCH E, 2002 PAGE 3 t, Student-teachers may not finish training Union advises members not to help out BY CRYSTAL CRIMI Stuff Writer CLARINGTON - Education Minister Janet Ecker has accused the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association of hurting its own young would-be teachers by using what she calls a "unique political strategy." The minister's remarks came after the OECTA advised educators to stop voluntary supervision of student student teachers. In order to graduate from Teacher's College, a 40-day practicum under supervision by a veteran teacher must be completed, and 10 local Catholic board student teachers arc currently at risk of failing failing to meet the requirement. OECTA members are battling with the Province over the mandatory mandatory teacher-testing program requiring all educators to take 14 courses every five years to maintain their teaching certification. All teacher unions have expressed opposition to the plan and have urged members to refuse to take the courses. Since the teacher recertification courses are taught by faculties of education, education, the OECTA is taking up its fight with them, said a local OECTA executive. Police nab five for drinking and driving Police arrested arrested five people for drinking and driving driving during weekend RIDE checks in the region. region. Durham Regional Regional Police set up spot checks in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Clar- ington stopped vehicles, performed roadside "The intent is to have the faculties faculties withdraw from being providers (for mandatory re-cerlification programs) programs) and their refusal to do that is causing their students not to be placed with our associate teachers," said Patricia Bell Mctivier, local president for the OECTA. In the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, 10 Ontario student teachers arc now at risk of failing. "I'm sure the faculties will come up with something," said Ms. Bell Mctivier. Ms. Ecker said it's not the gov- ernment'or the faculties which arc hurt over the action, but the student teachers. "For whatever political agenda the union thinks it has, this could prevent aspiring young Catholic teachers from entering the profession," profession," said Ms. Ecker. "They're supposed supposed to have opportunities to practise practise what they're learning. I just find it unconscionable, unacceptable that the union would hurt their own members to make a political point. "The only people hurt by this, it's not the faculties, it's not the government government - the only people hurt are young teachers, their own people. It is a unique political strategy." The Elementary Teachers Federation Federation of Ontario, which represents the public school teachers, decided not to follow the example of the OECTA. "They (teachers) arc going to continue continue taking (student) teachers for the rest of the year," said ETFO local president Mark Fallis. "They won't be taking additional (Catholic student teachers) though. "It's unfortunate things arc at this point, but there's this process (re-certification) (re-certification) out there that's very wrong and we have to try and put a process in place that's worthwhile and available available to teachers," he said. Mr. Fallis added teachers should be able to decide which courses they take according to what's going on in their school. For instance, one year, additional focus may be required for math or reading or a teacher may want to change subjects or go into administration. The 14 courses in five years doesn't acknowledge that, he said. "Obviously the faculties, the ministry, ministry, the school boards will do what we can to make sure new teachers have the opportunity to graduate and become teachers," said Ms. Ecker. JANET ECKER Yount' Catholic teachers may he prevented from entering the profession. ;;zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz^. Q MORTGAGE RATES BEST RATES AS OF: WED., MARCH 6™, 2002 l! ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE 1.01% 6 MONTHS 3.90% 1 YEAR 3.45% 2 YEAR 4.50% 3 YEAR 4.75% 4 YEAR 5.55% 5 YEAR 5.70% 7 YEAR 6.40% 10 YEARS 6.70% ALSO AVAILABLE: "MORTGAGES WITH UPTO 1% CASH BACK" NOTE: WE HANDLE Tl IE TRANSFER OF AN EXISTING MORTGAGE AT NO COST! IV/. ALSt) ARRANGE: • SECOND MORTGAGES • CREDIT LINES • PERSONAL LOANS CALL: DEL DYKSTRA/DEBBIE DYKSTRA-MURRAY 905-697-3300 FINANCIAL LTD. DELTDN V MORTGAGES ZZZZZZZZZ III mux ZZZZZZZZZ.Z ZZZZZ Z ZZ Z XIZZZZZZ3 Yaiich & Couture TRUSTEES IN BANKRUPTCY Personal and Business Bankruptcy Including all other Insolvency Service Diane K. Couture James R. Yanch OSHAWA 122 Albert St. (905) 721-7506 AJAX 50 Commercial Ave. (By App't Only) (905) 721-7506 COBOURG 24 Covert St. (By App't Only) (905) 721-7506 SATURDAY & KVKNINC A 1*1*01 NT MK NTS AVAIL A III.K FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION and 1,309 They 30 breath tests and issued seven 12-hour suspensions, laid two impaired driving driving charges and arrested five for drinking and driving, driving, Sergeant Paul Malik reported. reported. • PONTIAC • BUICK • CMC • GM CANADA TOP TEN DEALER TERRY HOLMES SEAN THOMAS Bill Campbêli'o/bT^|mjiS l$|t|p j| Terry' and .Sean to' hisf staff!' Tërryhâs 26' years of experience in the automotive business locally and invites his friends and customers to see him for a great deal on a new or used vehicle. Sean has returned as our service manager and would like to invite all customers, old and new, to drop in for a visit. 905-372-5447 1 -800-267-4646 ! . ■ ■; / j Join us at DARLINGTON Nuclear for some great family fun. There's something exciting for every kid. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. i ; :./v; o;v M Itaunton & ritsonICORNERi OSHAWA PARA? A 1 N T--S ALL In-stock Gallons of PAI NT Save off an additional ém -ourJSJH an additional gallon *our wholesale prices Monday. March : ; SlG:'ib Mi' : Mi-. ! \ ir i i II! I i 9:80 a.ill. -- 3:oo p.m. All activities will be on the i lai-limnon Vi nirrlïuni ! mil (Park Road Access).. Dress Warmly! • Hike the Trails • Signs of Spring Exploration with Nature Trails Unlimited • Animal Scavenger Hunt with Friends of Second Marsh • Horse-drawn Wagon Rides • Hot Chocolate and Yummy Treats around a camp fire luesdat Man'i: r.t. r,vil nesdiii viaiv't i.'> ami i ;nu>;<!:v >!nrvh : i. MAPI T. ! i M !■: FVN 9:3o a.m. -3:00 p.m. All activities will be at the ! 1 u n 111• v, mu!.'. I ! .oiisi'iA ;i f ion -Xi'tM \1 a j)lv a nip rest i\ a I Note: $5.00 per family entrance fee to Purple Woods Conservation Area Maple Syrup Festival. 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