Yukon teachers oppose changes to school calendar

Yukon teachers are fighting a government plan to change the academic year.

The territorial government wants to standardize the calendar for all schools by shortening the school day and lengthening the school year.

The teachers say the government simply hasn't done its homework, and they're giving the plan a failing grade.

The Yukon Teachers' Association says the territorial government cannot back up its claims that standardizing the school year would be good for students.

Earlier on Thursday, the association called a news conference to voice their concerns, saying the plan was poorly thought-out and based on bad information.

Association president Katherine Mackwood accused the governmentof trying to sneak its plan in under the radar.

Mackwood said she will hold territory-wide meetings with parents, school councils and First Nation leaders to make sure they understand the issue.

She said she needs to correct the government's homework and statements made in the plan.

"'Educational research shows that more days of school per year increases student success'that is clearly not the case," Mackwood said.

"Based on the research available, this statement is not correct."

Mackwood is demanding a meeting with the education minister.

"I don't think the minister of education is getting accurate information supplied," she said.

Education Minister Scott Kent has been travelling. So far, the teachers say they haven't been able to confirm a meeting with him.

Teachers are not alone in their opposition to the plans. Rural communities like Dawson City and Mayo say they want control over their own school calendars.