Before dawn in Alberta on Wednesday, students, parents, and teachers were up and about, preparing for the return to school following a province-wide teachers’ strike. The strike, which lasted for weeks, was swiftly ended by the Alberta government through the use of the notwithstanding clause. This move compelled 51,000 teachers across public, Catholic, and francophone schools to return to work under a deal that had been previously rejected by 90% of teachers during negotiations.
As approximately 750,000 students flooded back into classrooms, a mix of emotions was palpable at school drop-offs throughout the province.
Discover the highlights of the first morning back at school post-strike:
Lucy Lacoursiere, whose husband was part of the striking teachers, expressed conflicting feelings while dropping off her daughters at an elementary school in Edmonton. She acknowledged her happiness at having them back in school while lamenting the circumstances surrounding their return.
Giah Rai, a Grade 11 student, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the desire for the well-being and happiness of teachers in their teaching roles.
Adjaino Enyemike, a mother with five children in school in Edmonton, expressed relief at dropping them off for their first day back, despite feeling conflicted about the circumstances that led to the teachers’ return.
Robyn O’Brien, a parent of a kindergarten student, voiced support for teachers and emphasized the need for the government to restore public trust following the strike.
I’m scared because it’s going to reflect on my diploma and getting into universities.– Noah Masters, Grade 12 student
The provincial government announced plans to establish a task force to address issues such as class sizes and classroom complexities that were central to the negotiations.
Concerns were raised by educators and students alike as they returned to the same challenging classroom environments.
Challenges with Support
Kayla Frost shared her experiences regarding the lack of support for her Grade 4 son, who is on the autism spectrum, at St. Gregory Catholic School in Hinton, Alta.
School boards warned of potential disruptions to activities like sports and performing arts as teachers resumed work.
Students expressed worries about the impact of the missed school days on their education, with particular concerns from high school students preparing for post-secondary education.
Denver Knodel, a parent from Medicine Hat, and Quinn Raiwet, a Grade 11 student from Grande Prairie, shared their apprehensions about the challenges ahead due to the lost school days.
