(a) Each teacher in Classes I, II, III, IV, V, VI who increase educational qualifications which result in placement in a higher classification shall be placed at the same step of the schedule where placed in the previous classification provided that:
(i) prior to commencing a program leading to increased qualifications the teacher gives written notice to the Division of intention to do so, and
(ii) the Division does not, within sixty (60) days of receipt of such notice, advise the teacher, in writing, that in its considered opinion such improved qualifications would not be of benefit to the educational needs of the Division.
If the teacher does not so notify the Division, or if, after the teacher has notified the Division, the Division advised the teacher as aforesaid, that teacher shall, when placed in a higher classification resulting from increased qualifications, be placed on the step of the schedule resulting in a rate of pay nearest to but not less than the rate of pay received prior to the improved qualifications.
(b) When the Secretary-Treasurer is in receipt of a Verification of Classification from Manitoba Education, on behalf of a teacher who has improved qualifications, the effective date of the increased salary shall be the date verified by Manitoba Education as set out in the Verification of Classification. Where the date verified to Manitoba Education as set out in the Verification falls during July or August, such increase shall become effective on the September 1, immediately following.
(c) The onus to file evidence to Manitoba Education is exclusively the obligation of the teacher including relations with third parties. The Division bears no responsibility nor liability for any failure on the part of third parties to provide experience information or do any other thing with respect to the process of a teacher’s increased qualifications.