A major part of OTF advocacy is its liaison
with OCT. The college is the body that licenses, governs and
regulates the profession of teaching. It sets standards of
practice and ethical standards, conducts disciplinary hearings
and accredits teacher education programs. It undertakes all
of this “in the public interest;” that is, to protect the
public from unqualified or incompetent individuals or from
the small number of teachers who exploit their positions of
power and mistreat the students in their care.
By contrast, OTF is the professional organization that advocates
on behalf of teachers. At its core, OTF represents the voice
of teachers in the province, and is responsible for speaking
out on behalf of teachers. It is the Federation’s duty to
work explicitly and implicitly in the interest of the province’s
teachers.
OTF and affiliate staff meet regularly with the elected members
of the Governing Council who are also members of OTF to discuss
issues of mutual concern. As well, OTF and affiliate staff
meet regularly with OCT staff from the Investigations and
Hearings, Member Services and Professional Affairs Departments.
OTF also provides input into major OCT initiatives.
Check out the OCT website: www.oct.ca.
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