The Nature of Teaching Duties (Part 1)—The Education Act and the Collective Agreement

​Alberta teachers are feeling stretched to the limit, and beyond, as they try to manage teaching and learning in classrooms and schools that continue to grow in complexity. Clarifying the nature of teaching duties can help teachers manage the responsibilities of the profession and balance the increasing demands on them.

Classroom teaching duties are all the professional tasks that teachers complete during the instruction of students, including
• conducting classes and presenting lessons,
• preparing lessons,
• requisitioning materials and equipment,
• evaluating and reporting on student progress and
• maintaining such classroom order as is necessary to promote a healthy learning climate.

​Section 196 of the Education Act (the act) forms the legislative basis for these duties.

​Education Act
196(1) A teacher while providing instruction or supervision must
(a) provide instruction competently to students;
(b) teach the courses and programs of study that are prescribed, approved or authorized pursuant to this Act;
(c) promote goals and standards applicable to the provision of education adopted or approved pursuant to this Act;
(d) encourage and foster learning in students;
(e) regularly assess students and periodically report the results of the assessment to the students, the students’ parents and the board;
(f) maintain, under the direction of the principal, order and discipline among the students while they are in the school or on the school grounds and while they are attending or participating in activities sponsored or approved by the board;
(g) subject to any applicable collective agreement and the teacher’s contract of employment, carry out the duties that are assigned to the teacher by the principal or the board. 
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(2)   At any time during the period of time that a teacher is under an obligation to the board to provide instruction or supervision or to carry out duties assigned to the teacher by a principal or the board, a teacher must, at the request of the board,
​(a) participate in curriculum development and field testing of new curriculum;
(b) develop, field test and mark provincial assessments; and
​(c) supervise student teachers.

​The act further implies an expectation that teachers carry out such general supervision of their students as may be required by law, by regulation or by agreement, in order to assist to a reasonable extent with the school program as agreed to by the staff. This expectation extends to cooperating with other teachers in the best interests of students and to acting as an engaged member of the school’s educational team.

While collective agreements set limits on Alberta teachers’ assignable and instructional time, many duties required to fulfil their obligations fall under professional time. In general, professional time is defined as the time that is directed by the teacher, including decisions about when and where duties are performed. Tasks that fall under professional time include the following:
• Marking
• Planning lessons and creating instructional materials
• Pursuing professional development, through reading, conferences and workshops
• Engaging in professional reflection
• Initiating contact with parents outside of assigned meetings and admin-directed contact
• Providing additional assistance to students 
• Collaborating with colleagues

​The working time for these functions is not regulated in collective agreements, but they are obligations of the profession under the Education Act.

WORTH SHARING Along with instructional time and assignable time, teachers have a professional responsibility for activities such as planning, preparation, marking and reporting. The work time for these functions is not regulated in collective agreements, but they are obligations of the profession under the Education Act. 

​If you have questions about assignable and instructional time, please contact Teacher Employment Membership Support and speak to one of our duty officers by calling 1-800-232-7208.   Read the full Worth Knowing. #WeAreATA