STF Clarifies Club Sports As Teachers Initially Told It Was A No Go

Members of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) are now allowed to enter school for functions under a set of rules. The big rule is they cannot be school functions.

MJ Independent asked the STF for a clarification and asked questions after teachers complained to this publication about how the STF’s sanctions were being applied - specifically to club activities.

According to the teachers - who asked to remain anonymous in case the STF would punish them - they were not allowed to participate as coaches, officials, or even spectators at club events being held on school property.

Clubs are independent entities and are not school based and are centred around a specific sport. They are not run by schools and only rent their facilities.

The move by the STF threatened not just indoor club sports but also sports traditionally played outdoors.

In a media call on Tuesday the STF promised MJ Independent to find out the answers.

On Wednesday the STF clarified the guidance for members provided the current advice below:

STF members MAY attend community events held in schools. Such events must NOT be part of school programming or extracurricular activities in any way.

NOTE: These events often require a rental agreement with the school division.

NOTE: STF members should not enter workspaces or spaces only accessible to staff.

The STF guidelines mean members may coach teams, as well as officiate, or be a spectator in the stands so long as they follow the guidelines

The STF in an email said if members have additional questions, they may contact the STF directly for more information.

The STF and provincial government are currently embroiled in a contract dispute, which involves not only salaries, but also class size and composition.

At present, the STF has sanctions, which do not allow teacher members to participate in extracurricular activities for an indefinite amount of time.