Addressing the Root Causes of Teacher Absenteeism is Key – Michael Zwaagstra

January 29, 2025 TruthUSA

Commentary

Recall your student days. How much learning happened when teachers were absent?

Chances are, not as much as when they were present. Substitute teachers often lack familiarity with the subject being taught. Even if they know the material, they may not know the students, making classroom management harder. In essence, frequent teacher absences hinder learning. The more days a teacher is absent, the more negative effects we can expect on student achievement and behavior.

Teacher absenteeism also significantly affects school board budgets. For instance, last school year, each teacher in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) took an average of 20 sick days, costing the TDSB $213 million, or 8.7% of the total payroll.

Across Ontario, teachers use approximately 16 sick days per year, slightly lower than at TDSB but still significant, considering the limited number of school days per year.

Some school boards have taken drastic measures to address this issue. The TDSB and the Toronto Catholic District School Board even employ private investigators to catch teachers misusing sick days. However, instead of just cracking down on sick leave abuse, school boards should delve into why teachers opt to be absent in the first place and address the root causes.

Teachers are more likely to take sick days when they feel unsafe at school, so school boards should prioritize the safety of both teachers and students. This includes addressing student misbehavior and ensuring consequences for violent behavior.

Reducing the number of sick days also involves ending ineffective trends like endless diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sessions, which hinder teachers from performing effectively.

A balanced approach is essential to address this issue. While addressing sick leave misuse is necessary, tackling the underlying factors that contribute to teacher absenteeism is crucial. Dealing with causes rather than symptoms is a more effective long-term strategy. Teachers should be present in school as much as possible, for the benefit of students and taxpayers.

Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher and a senior fellow at the Fraser Institute.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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