P.E.I. teachers upset by exclusion from some education councils

The president of the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation says she'sfrustrated by the province's decision to deny classroom teachers a seat in any of the eight new Family of Schools District Advisory councils.

• P.E.I. Learning Partners Advisory Council founding members announced

• P.E.I. teachers eager to meet with new Education minister

• Islanders sought for new education advisory council

Thereview of what is happening inside schools must include parents, students and teachers,Bethany MacLeod said in an interviewwith CBC News.

Currently, there are two students, a parent and a Home and School Federation representative on each of the councils. The province's websitesaid the group will review issues including student attendance, length of school days, rezoning and technology in learning.

It's eight teachers, it's not like we're asking for a lot. Bethany MacLeod, PEITFpresident

"We're discussing issues that are very pertinent to the classroom, very pertinent to the student needs," said MacLeod. "And who better to ask than the people who are standing in front of those students every day?"

The federation sent a letter to the government requesting teachers be added to the councils, but MacLeod said that request was rejected.

"We don't understand.It's like there's an education party and teachers aren't invited, but yet we can go in through the back door," she said.

Teachers are well-represented on othercouncils, Education minister Doug Currie countered.

"The voice of the teacher is represented on three councils," Currie told CBC News.

"On our Learning Partner Advisory Council we have the PEITF ... as well as two current teachers and a retired teacher."

A high percentage of principals on P.E.I. are also classroom teachers, Currie added, and will reflect the voice of staff rooms across the province through the Principals Advisory Council.

"It's eight teachers, it's not like we're asking for a lot," said MacLeod. "We just want to be recognized that we do have a voice as well."

The councils are all scheduled to begin meeting in February.