The Alberta government has revealed plans to allocate funds saved in the event of a potential teachers’ strike towards providing financial assistance to parents with younger children enrolled in public, Catholic, and francophone schools.
Finance Minister Nate Horner announced in Calgary on Tuesday that parents and guardians with children aged 12 and under will have the opportunity to apply for weekly payments of $150, should there be a walkout by Alberta Teachers’ Association members on Oct. 6. The initial payment is scheduled for Oct. 31.
Following the ATA’s announcement on Monday night of a resounding 89.5% rejection of a contract proposal, a provincewide strike is looming next week that could impact approximately 700,000 students throughout Alberta.
Additionally, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides shared on Tuesday that the government has developed a “tool kit” for parents and guardians to facilitate at-home learning for children in case of class cancellations due to a strike. The online resources encompass essential subjects such as math, language arts, science, and social studies, featuring educational videos, worksheets, and practice materials.
During the same news briefing, Premier Danielle Smith disclosed the province’s intention to recruit an additional 1,500 educational assistants for schools by 2028. This commitment was part of the offer dismissed by teachers, who argued that it fell short in addressing salary discrepancies and the escalating challenges of larger class sizes and complexities.
Stay tuned for further updates.