Education Minister Russ Marchuk has appointed Dr. Dennis Kendel to conduct consultations and provide recommendations to address concerns around teacher certification and disciplinary authority in cases of alleged professional misconduct and incompetence.
Marchuk said he has concerns with the current process that need to be addressed and Dr. Kendel's expertise as a regulator will be valuable to this process.
"Our goal is to have a process that ensures the safety of our students, protects the integrity of the teaching profession and helps to maintain public trust in the disciplinary process," Marchuk said. "This will require consultation with the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation and sector leaders. Dr. Kendel has the expertise we need to conduct this type of research andanalysis. I look forward to receiving his recommendations."
Kendel is a past Registrar of the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Medical Council of Canada. He also has extensive experience in this type of work, as he was instrumental in developing policy surrounding the licensing requirements for Canadian physicians.
"I look forward to undertaking consultations with the education sector, and to look at ways to improve the teacher regulation process," Kendel said. "I am confident this input will help us determine how to bring the regulatory framework and disciplinary process for the teaching profession more in line with other jurisdictions and other professional bodies."
Consultations with education stakeholders will take place over the coming weeks. Kendel will also review how misconduct allegations are handled in other provinces, and provide a report and recommendations to the Minister of Education this fall. The report will be made public and will help to inform new legislation, also expected to be introduced in late fall.
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