BC Guide for Independent SchoolsTeacher CertificationQuestion and Answers
A. All currently valid Independent School Teacher Certificates will require a criminal record check authorization by September 30, 2008. Teachers planning to have a valid Independent School Teacher Certificate after that date are required to provide the Inspector of Independent Schools with a criminal record check authorization, which the Inspector will forward to the Solicitor General's Office. Teachers holding Independent School Teacher Certification who wish to continue teaching in a British Columbia independent school need to be issued an updated Independent School Teacher Certificate. To receive the updated certificate, teachers must successfully complete the criminal record check process before September, 2008.
A. All teachers at independent schools are already required to have a valid criminal record check through the school (as employer). This change simply transfers the responsibility for collecting and recording those criminal record checks from the employer to the Inspector. The change was put in place to ensure that student safety concerns are addressed in parallel ways for Independent School certified and BCCT certified teachers.
A. The Online Registry for Independent School Certified Teachers is a registry of all teachers who hold an Independent School Teacher Certificate. The Registry is being compiled by the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools. All teachers who hold a B.C. Independent School Teacher Certificate will automatically be added to the Registry at the time that they provide authorization for a criminal record check.
A. The Online Registry forms a part of Government’s commitment to provide the public with greater transparency surrounding the employment and discipline of teachers in British Columbia. The Online Registry and the criminal record check requirement add a further safety control for the protection of British Columbia students. As well, the Online Registry and the criminal record check requirement bring the certification processes for independent school and public school teachers more closely in line.
A. Yes, the criminal record check is necessary for current independent school teachers who wish to be issued an updated British Columbia Independent School Teacher Certificate (or issued a new certificate in the case of new teachers). Independent school certified teachers who are not planning to teach in a British Columbia independent school any time after September 30, 2008 do not need to authorize the criminal record check. These certificates will automatically expire and become invalid.
A. Authorization for the criminal record check is given online. To authorize the criminal record check, please visit the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools' web page at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/independentschools/
A. The deadline for successfully completing the criminal record check authorization is September 30, 2008. Teachers who currently have an Independent School Teacher Certificate must successfully complete the process by this date or they will no longer be eligible to teach in British Columbia independent schools.
A. ALL teachers who currently have an Independent School Teaching Certificate must complete the criminal record authorization process before September 30, 2008. Upon successful completion of the criminal record check, the Inspector will issue updated teaching certificates. All new applicants for Independent School teacher certification are automatically required to provide the criminal record check authorization as part of the teacher certification application process
A. There are two non-refundable fees involved with the issuance of a new British Columbia Independent School Teacher Certificate: $20 for the criminal record check and $20 for the new certificate. The web site explains how and when to pay each of these fees. Please visit the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools' web page at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/independentschools/
A. Recent changes to the Criminal Records Review Act require that criminal record checks for the purposes of licensing are to be submitted directly to the licensing body. Consequently, criminal record checks completed through the teacher’s employer do not meet these new requirements. All independent school teaching certificate holders are required to provide the Inspector of Independent Schools with a criminal record check authorization, regardless of whether the teacher’s employer had recently requested a criminal record check.
A. No. Teachers who are certified through the BC College of Teachers have already completed criminal record checks though the BC College of Teachers’ certification process and are not required to take any further action.
A. No. Teachers who are certified through the BC College of Teachers have already completed criminal record checks though the BC College of Teachers’ certification process and are not required to take any further action.
A. Yes. Authorities can determine what, if any, additional actions they wish to take to ensure child safety.
A. Not all criminal offenses prohibit an individual from receiving a teaching certificate. For a list of the offences reviewed during a record check, please see the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General web site at www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/act/offences.htm or contact the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools at (250) 356-2508.
A. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools by email: EDUC.IndependentSchoolsOffice@gov.bc.ca or by telephone: 250-356-2508.
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WHY do Independent School Certified Teachers need to authorize and pay for a criminal record check?
