Some courses at Labrador CNA campus lack instructors

Students at College of the North Atlantic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are upset that after two weeks into the new school year, some courses are still without teachers.

Stewart Michelin's daughter, Heather McLean, has been trying to attend classes since the semester started on Sept. 5.

"They go into the classroom, there's a note on the door saying, 'Sorry, there's no class today,' and that's it," he said.

McLean said she keeps being turned away.

"There's a sign on the door and it said – I think it was Sept. 9 – that there was going to be a teacher in that day. So me and my classmates went to that class, and we were waiting, and no one showed up," she said.

"At first, it's kind of like, 'OK, we get a break.' But after a while, you want to get the education you're paying for."

The college started the new semester with three unfilled teaching positions in the math, physics, and heavy-duty equipment technician programs.

Cyril Organ, the college's vice-president of academic and learner services, said the school understands the frustration.

"We recognize now that students would have some anxiety when they don't see a permanent instructor very early in the semester," he said.

Concerns about catching up

Tracey Gilbert-Bungay said her son signed up for the heavy-duty equipment technician program because of its reputation.

She said she won't sign a tuition cheque until an instructor is in place. 

Gilbert-Bungay said she's starting to worry about her son's education.

"After losing two weeks of school now, how do you catch up that time?" she asked.

The school states that students will graduate on time and fully educated.

The college said it has flown in instructors from across the province, and has shuffled schedules to better handle its teaching resources.

"We fully expect and intend to deliver all of the content, and enable students to graduate from the program with the skills they anticipated when they signed up," Organ said.

The college said it has hired a math instructor, and that someone has been offered the physics teaching position.

It also said it's negotiating with an applicant for the heavy-duty equipment technician teaching position, while the enrolled students complete the welding portion of the program.