A career in teaching can be less lucrative and attractive in Nigeria, especially in the face of poor remuneration, lack of respect and recognition, among others.
In Canada, a career in teaching is a different ball game because it is a very lucrative venture, with respect and recognition.
Teaching in Canada can be a lucrative career, with teachers earning an average of N104.3 million ($65,032) per year.
Teachers’ salary varies in Canada depending on factors such as location, experience, and education level. Some Canadian provinces, such as Nunavut and Yukon, may offer higher salaries due to a higher cost of living and difficulty in finding suitable teachers.
According to cicnews, a prominent online news source focusing on Canadian immigration, offering updates on policies, procedures, and events related to the country’s immigration system, building teaching experience, and creating a strong portfolio are beneficial.
However, as a foreigner, it is required that the individual pass a criminal background check and demonstrate language proficiency.
Teaching in Canada is a regulated profession, which means that to get a teaching job, one must get certified to operate professionally.
Like most other regulated professions, teaching in Canada is regulated at the provincial or territorial level. Hence, one must meet different requirements to teach legally, depending on which province or territory he or she resides in.
The federal government has also recently added education as a category in Express Entry, making it easier for teachers to obtain Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry if they wish to settle in Canada permanently.
How to get certified as a teacher in Canada
To secure a teaching job in Canada, interested applicants need to complete a bachelor’s degree, a teacher education programme, and obtain provincial certification.
Here are some of the steps to becoming an internationally trained educator in Canada.
Those who want to teach in Canada need to have the following;
Education qualifications:
In most Canadian provinces, it is required that applicants must have completed post-secondary degree, most commonly a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution.
Internationally educated teachers are required to obtain educational credential assessments (ECAs) for any foreign degrees that are necessary to qualify for licensing.
Specialised teacher education programme:
Besides a post-secondary degree, most jurisdictions also require the teacher to have completed specialised training as a teacher. Specific teacher training requirements may vary, but can include length and/or the number of semesters that need to have been completed, in addition to some quantity of practical teaching experience.
Language proficiency:
Canadian school management would want applicants to show proficiency in written and spoken English or French, depending on the course they wish to teach, and the province they want to teach in.
Proof of moral character:
Many provinces also require applicants to prove that they are of good moral character. While the documents submitted vary from province to province, British Columbia (BC), for instance, requires criminal record check results, academic records, confidential character references, and teacher evaluation reports, respectively, if required.
However, some provinces have additional requirements, for instance,
It is also mandatory for all teachers in Ontario to complete the College’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Programme (SAPP).
In British Columbia, those who have completed their teacher education programme outside Canada must do a familiarisation course approved by the BC Teachers’ Council.
Working as a teacher in Canada
In Canada, there are different types of teaching positions available, including;
Working full-time;
Supply teachers are usually under temporary contracts, while long-term occasional teachers substitute teachers who cover a full-time teacher’s absence for an extended period, such as maternity leave.
Full-time teachers – permanent positions
Full-time permanent teachers in Canada generally teach for about 10 months per year, while classes are in session.
They usually observe breaks from classes, including two to three weeks off at Christmas, a week off during March break, and about two months off in the summer.
Long-Term Occasional Teachers (LTOs)
An LTO is a full-time contract position where a teacher will take over the class of a permanent full-time teacher for an extended period, for example, due to parental leave.
LTOs can range from several weeks to an entire academic year. The LTO is a full-time contract position. When the contract ends, so does the job.
In some jurisdictions, supply teachers and LTO teachers may also be unionised, and their work can contribute to a defined benefit pension.
Nigerians interested in teaching jobs can benefit from seeking opportunities in Canada due to high demand, a strong education system, and the potential for a better quality of life.
The Canadian education sector seeks qualified teachers, and the immigration process for qualified professionals is relatively straightforward.
