ATA responds to the pause of ministerial order on school libraries

Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling has issued the following statement about the Government of Alberta pausing the implementation of its ministerial order to create new standards for school libraries.

The government’s decision to pause the implementation of its book ban has turned into an ill-timed game of Red Light, Green Light. Today, the education minister says teachers should no longer take steps to cull or curate their libraries—red light. Tomorrow, it is possible that teachers could be asked once again to add this task back onto their already overflowing plates—green light. 

As they prepared for the new school year, many teachers were also burdened with removing thousands of books to comply with the government’s now-defunct October 1 deadline.

We urge the government to stop playing games with teachers and students and put a full stop to policing school library materials.

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 51,000 members.