ATA launches ad campaign to highlight funding issues

A new provincewide advertising campaign from the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) will highlight Alberta’s position as the lowest funded public education system in the country.

The ATA is using television, radio, billboard, print and online advertisements to help raise public awareness of the state of funding for schools and the impacts low funding has had on learning conditions.

“Despite having the richest economy in the country, Alberta has the poorest public education system. There is no excuse for this. Alberta students deserve better.”

—ATA president Jason Schilling

As a result of 15 years of chronic underfunding, student enrolment growth has outpaced teacher population increases by over two-to-one. The difference between growth rates is equivalent to having at least 6,000 fewer teachers than if teacher population growth had kept up.

“Imagine if we cut 6,000 teachers from the school system in one day. Programs would be slashed, thousands of classes would be combined and supports for students would disappear. Well, that is what has happened in our schools—not overnight, but gradually and consistently over 15 years.”

—ATA president Jason Schilling

The advertising campaign, funded by teachers, encourages Albertans to visit StoptheExcuses.ca to learn more about the issue of chronic underfunding and to reach out to their MLA to tell them to stop the excuses!

The Alberta Teachers’ Association, as the professional organization of teachers, promotes and advances public education, supports teachers’ professional practice and serves as the advocate for its 46,000 members.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with President Schilling, contact Mark Milne at 780-905-0014.