Parents, students, and educators throughout the province are getting ready for the school reopening following the government’s directive to end a three-week strike by Alberta teachers. School districts have begun informing parents about the scheduled return on Wednesday morning after the passing of Bill 2, also known as the Back to School Act, in the legislature early Tuesday.
Teacher strikes commenced on October 6 due to contract negotiation breakdowns and the rejection of two proposed agreements. The Edmonton Catholic School Division and the Edmonton Public School Board have assured parents of the school’s resumption, aiming to swiftly return to normal routines.
Calgary’s public and Catholic school boards, alongside Rocky View Schools, have confirmed the reopening of their schools on Wednesday. With over 51,000 teachers on strike and approximately 750,000 students affected in public, Catholic, and francophone schools, the community eagerly anticipates the return to educational activities.
According to Sarah Hamilton, an education professor at Mount Royal University, students have experienced varying degrees of educational engagement during the strike, highlighting the challenges some parents face in supporting their children’s learning. Re-establishing routines and structure, vital for children, may require a considerable amount of time.
Transitioning from strike action to classroom teaching within a day poses challenges for teachers, such as Vanessa Amyotte, a teacher and president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s Evergreen Catholic Local 44. Despite the eagerness to resume normalcy, there is widespread dissatisfaction among educators regarding the handling of the contract dispute by the authorities.
Lisa Paradis from Leduc has been preparing her high school children for the return to school by ensuring they maintain a regular sleep schedule and stay informed about strike developments. While her children are excited to reunite with friends and teachers, Paradis expresses frustration over the disrupted learning support and plans to show solidarity by having her kids wear red on their return.
Jason Smith, a teacher in Grande Prairie, emphasizes the importance of connecting with students and parents amid the uncertainties surrounding the return to school. Despite feeling that his rights as an educator have been infringed upon by the government’s legislative actions, Smith remains committed to supporting his students and addressing any learning gaps that may arise.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association has strongly criticized the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end the strike, labeling it as an attack on the rights of all Albertans and raising concerns about potential threats to labor rights. Despite these challenges, educators are determined to welcome students back with a positive attitude as they navigate the resumption of in-person learning.