The Ministry of Education has announced a new scholarship for would-be teachers studying in British Columbia. But the accompanying press release issued today was the first time the BC Teachers' Federation had heard of the scholarship, despite being named to the committee in charge determining the eligibility of applicants.

The Pathway to Teacher Training Scholarship will be given to 20 "exceptional" B.C. Grade 12 students who wish to go into teacher training. Each scholarship is worth $5,000 towards their tuition at any post-secondary teacher training institution in B.C. "We've made quality teaching and learning a key element of BC's Education Plan. To address that priority, the Pathway to Teacher Training Scholarship will reward future teachers and help attract the best and brightest to the profession," reads a statement from Education Minister Don McRae in the release.

The press release, issued to mark the United Nations' World Teacher Day today, says a selection committee composed of representatives from the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF), BC Principals and Vice Principals Association (BCPVPA), and the BC School Superintendents Association (BCSSA) will determine the criteria for scholarship winners.

BCTF President Susan Lambert told The Tyee, however, that she was unaware of the scholarship despite meeting with Minister McRae for two hours yesterday.

"The key topic we met with him on was building a respectful relationship and how building a respectful relationship means that you talk to the federation as a representative voice of the profession," she says.

"I have to say that for a minister who professes to make as a priority the repair of relationships between the federation and the ministry, this is such a disrespectful action. I think it's highly regrettable that it's a continuation of the kind of disrespectful relationship that we've had under previous ministers, and we expected better."

Lambert thinks the scholarship is a good idea for supporting budding teachers, and said the union will likely participate in the committee. But she laughed as she read aloud the theme of World Teacher Day, attached to the end of the release: "'Take a stand for teachers!'," she read. "And we didn't even get a heads up on this even though we met with him until four o'clock yesterday."

The Tyee contacted the BCPVPA and BCSSA to find out if they were aware of the scholarship prior to the press release. The Ministry of Education was also contacted to find out if any of the organizations were asked to join the committee. No one answered by deadline.

Katie Hyslop reports on education and youth issues for The Tyee. Follow her on Twitter @kehyslop.