Who’s Who in Education
YOUR UNION – ETFO
As has been outlined, ETFO is your professional organization. A strong union of over 76,000 teachers,
occasional teachers and education workers, ETFO speaks for its members and makes sure their voices are
heard.
ETFO protects teachers’ rights, provides professional development, promotes the profession and the
cause of education and works for social justice.
PUBLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS AND OPSBA
There are 31 public district school boards in Ontario. These district school boards are the employers for
the teachers in the province’s public schools. See the map of Ontario in the All About ETFO section of this
resource for the alignment of locals and district school boards.
As the employer, the district school board negotiates the collective agreement with its teachers. The
district school board is responsible to the Ministry of Education to implement Ministry policies and
legislation regarding the teachers and pupils of Ontario.
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is an organization that represents public district
school boards and public school authorities across Ontario. The Association advocates on behalf of
the interests and needs of the public school system in Ontario. OPSBA is called on by the provincial
government for input and advice on legislation and the impact of government policy directions.
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
The Ontario Ministry of Education is responsible for establishing the policies and regulations and drafting
legislation which govern education in the province.
Through its policies, the Ministry establishes the curriculum that is to be taught and sets the regulations
for teacher evaluations and pupil testing. As Ministry guidelines are set, they are communicated to the
district school boards that are responsible for their implementation.
THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS (OCT)
The Ontario College of Teachers Act gives the College the authority to regulate the profession and govern
the conduct of its members, including teachers, principals, and most supervisory officers in the school
system.
Membership in the College is a requirement for those who wish to maintain their teacher certification in
Ontario.
Membership is open to anyone qualified to teach in Ontario including:
O teachers in public and private schools;
O occasional teachers;
O university professors and college instructors; and
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ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO
2014-2015
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