Teachers across British Columbia will stop carrying out tasks and duties considered “non-essential” by the B.C. Labour Relations Board, and that means recess will be cancelled for some students.

BC Teachers’ Federation president Jim Iker said six school districts have plans to cancel recess when the phase-one action begins Wednesday.

In some cases, cancelling recess could mean the school day is shortened by 15 minutes.

Iker explained that voluntary activities in which teachers are involved will continue during the first phase of the planned job action, but some teachers’ duties will be left to principals, vice-principals, and other management.

“Our expectation is that, according to the essential services legislation, excluded staff will be picking up supervision,” he said.

The withdrawal of non-essential duties is part the first stage in a multi-level strike action that was announced by the Teachers’ Federation last week.