Canada’s Teacher Shortage Crisis: The Impact on Students & How Parents Can Help

Canada’s teacher shortage is leaving students behind

Canada’s Growing Teacher Shortage: What You Need to Know

Canada is facing a worsening teacher shortage, with Ontario being one of the hardest-hit provinces. According to the Ontario College of Teachers, applications for new teachers have dropped significantly over the past decade, while school enrollments continue to rise. Many classrooms are now overcrowded, and some students are being taught by uncertified or substitute teachers due to staffing shortages, which, without a doubt, impacts the quality of education Ontario students receive. 

Key Statistics:

• Ontario teacher education program admissions dropped from over 6,300 in 2014 to around 4,500 in 2021 and 2022

• 47% of Ontario schools report daily staffing shortages, impacting student learning

• Nearly 1 in 4 new teachers in Ontario leave the profession within five years due to burnout, low pay, and classroom challenges

The teacher shortage crisis has a direct impact on the quality of education, leading to larger class sizes, fewer specialized educators, and increased stress for both students and teachers.

How Teacher Shortages Are Hurting Students in Canada

1. Increased Class Sizes & Reduced Individual Support

With fewer teachers available, classrooms are more crowded than ever. This limits the ability of educators to provide personalized attention, leaving many students struggling to keep up. Research shows that students in smaller classes perform better academically, yet class sizes in Ontario have continued to grow due to the shortage.

2. Greater Impact on Racialized Students & Those with Special Needs

Racialized students and those requiring additional support are disproportionately affected by the teacher shortage. The lack of diverse teachers in classrooms contributes to cultural misunderstandings, while students with disabilities face reduced access to specialized support staff and individualized learning plans.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission found that Black students in Toronto are 7x more likely to experience discrimination from teachers than White students, with South Asian students facing discrimination at nearly 3x the rate. A decline in diverse educators will disproportionately impact racialized students, further exacerbating race-based discrimination in schools.

A 2023–2024 People for Education survey found that nearly half of all schools face daily shortages of educational assistants for students with special needs. This lack of support limits access to IEPs, widens learning gaps, and reduces personalized instruction, while also increasing behavioral challenges and mental health struggles. Delayed diagnoses and interventions further impact students, leaving many feeling frustrated, isolated, and academically behind.

Highlights:

• The Ontario Human Rights Commission has highlighted systemic issues in education that negatively affect Black and other racialized students due to bias, discipline disparities, and a lack of representation. (Ontario Human Rights Commission)

• Special education teachers are in critically short supply, leading to delays in services for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other challenges.

3. Rising Violence & Behavioral Issues in Schools

The teacher shortage has coincided with an alarming rise in school violence and behavioral issues. With fewer teachers and support staff, students are more likely to feel disengaged, leading to disciplinary problems.

• A 2023 survey by the Canadian Teachers' Federation found that 80% of educators reported an increase in school violence over their careers

• In Ontario, 75% of education workers say they’ve seen a rise in violent incidents, and 60% report that these incidents have become more severe

• Teachers are experiencing higher levels of burnout due to handling both educational and behavioral challenges without adequate support

What Parents Can Do to Ensure Their Child’s Education Isn’t Affected

1. Support Learning at Home

With fewer teachers available, parents can play a crucial role in reinforcing education at home.

• Create a structured learning space to help your child focus on schoolwork.

• Use educational resources like online courses, audiobooks, and educational games to supplement their learning.

• Encourage reading and discussion to develop critical thinking skills beyond the classroom.

2. Advocate for Better Education Policies

Parents have a powerful voice when it comes to advocating for better education policies. You can take action by:

• Contacting your local school board trustees and MPPs to push for increased education funding and teacher recruitment programs.

• Joining parent advocacy groups like the Ontario Parent Action Network to support teacher hiring initiatives.

• Attending school board meetings to stay informed and ensure your concerns are heard.

3. Consider Tutoring to Bridge Learning Gaps

If your child’s school is affected by teacher shortages, tutoring can provide a personalized and consistent learning experience to ensure they stay on track.

At Inspire Learning Hub, we offer one-on-one and group tutoring sessions tailored to your child's learning style and needs. Our tutors provide individualized support, helping students build confidence and academic skills in subjects where they may be struggling due to classroom disruptions.

Final Thoughts: Taking Action for a Better Future

Canada’s teacher shortage is a growing crisis that affects all students, particularly those from marginalized communities and those with special needs. Larger class sizes, increased behavioral challenges, and limited access to specialized educators make it essential for parents to take proactive steps in supporting their child's education.

By advocating for systemic change, supporting learning at home, and exploring tutoring as an alternative resource, parents can help mitigate the effects of the shortage and set their children up for success.

Looking for personalized academic support? Empower Your Learning – Get Started with Inspire Learning Hub today!