An awareness campaign is calling on the New Brunswick government to offer compensation and working conditions reflective of today’s realities.

Anglophone and francophone teachers in 295 public schools from across the province are sending a message stating ‘Public Education Has Been Squeezed Dry’.

Around 9,000 teachers are posting lemons to social media as they voice concerns about the impact of inflation and the current realities of learning conditions.

The New Brunswick Teachers; Federation says two-thirds have been in the profession for more than a decade, but even with an increase of one per cent annually in the last 10 years, they are making less than they did 11 years ago.

“The government touts a ‘world-class education’ for its students yet expects teachers and school administrators to accept subpar compensation for their years of education, experience, and expertise. Now is the time for the government to invest in its teachers, whose core purpose is to educate and support children and youth,” said Connie Keating, NBTF co-president.

The federation says teachers have risen to the challenge of supporting New Brunswick’s children and youth while continuing to bear the brunt of the daily teacher shortage crisis.

They are calling on the government to offer compensation and working conditions that are reflective of today’s realities.