Families Seek Alternatives as Alberta Schools Face Extended Closure

Families in Alberta are searching for educational alternatives as schools remain closed for an extended period due to ongoing negotiations between the province and the teachers’ association. With approximately 700,000 public and separate school students affected, many parents are turning to temporary educational camps to maintain their children’s learning during this disruption.

Organizations like Telus Spark are stepping in to offer solutions. The education camps they provide closely align with the science curriculum, featuring activities designed to complement what students would typically learn in the classroom. “These SparkEd Camps are curricular-connected to their science curriculum. So, they are designed to enhance what they would be learning in the classroom,” said Jen Duffy, school science connections manager at Telus Spark.

As families navigate the closure, students like Jordan are finding it challenging to stay on track with their studies. “Mainly staying home and just working on schoolwork, but it is a little difficult to stay on track,” the 11-year-old shared. The search for suitable camps can also be time-consuming. “It’s a bit of an all-over-the-city tour as we find camps that work and that are available and that still have space,” expressed Kera Redlack, who recently enrolled her daughter Heidi in a program at Telus Spark.

While these camps provide a temporary respite, they come with additional costs and logistical challenges. Parents are hopeful that the situation will resolve quickly. “We 100 per cent support the teachers. We want to see classrooms and education that is meaningful, empowering, and provides the right resources,” Redlack stated. She acknowledged the disruption to daily life but emphasized the importance of quality education.

Bargaining talks between the province and the teachers’ association are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. If an agreement is reached, teachers will need time to review and vote on the proposed settlement, a process that historically takes about five days. Duffy expressed her optimism, stating, “I want a good resolution for our students here in Alberta.”

Students have also voiced their concerns regarding classroom sizes, with Heidi noting, “I hope that the classrooms can get a little smaller because last year I had 32 kids in my class and it was way too big and loud.” Her classmate Jordan added, “I just hope it ends soon because it is much harder to learn at home than it is at school.”

In the event that an agreement is not reached, the provincial government may mandate teachers to return to work. This could potentially lead to the cancellation of extracurricular activities, including field trips. Duffy warned, “If teachers are mandated back to work, then we would struggle to have work for our educators,” highlighting the precarious nature of the current situation for both students and teachers alike.

The urgency of these negotiations underscores the impact on families and the education system in Alberta, as students eagerly await a resolution that will allow them to return to their classrooms.