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The figures only represent short-term absences due to teachers calling in sick for half-days or full days, and do not include absences for longer-term illnesses.

“The numbers [of absentee teachers] are huge, and on top of that, there are not enough supply teachers to fill the vacancies,” said one veteran Toronto public high school teacher earlier this month who wished to be anonymous. As a result, teachers have been put in charge of supervising two or three classes simultaneously, housed in a larger space like the school library, the teacher added.

TDSB chair Chris Bolton called the rise in teacher sick day absences “surprising,” although he had been aware anecdotally that there was an increase.

“I’m not sure of all the details of it, but it’s certainly something that we need to be looking at,” Mr. Bolton said Tuesday, adding he also knew there was “an issue” with teacher sick leave even before this year but had not known to what degree.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board also saw an increase in overall teacher absences in the range of seven to 12% between March and May of this year and the same period last year. Overall teacher absences for various reasons, including attending professional development workshops were up 15% at the TDSB in May compared to May, 2012. The Peel District School Board has also reported an increase in teacher absences.

“We knew this was going to happen,” said Toronto Catholic board chair Ann Andrachuk. “If [teachers] can’t bank [sick days] then they’re going to use them.”