The Government of Alberta’s announcement of capital funding to school divisions for new builds over the next few years is much needed; however, it will not address the untenable classroom conditions students continue to learn in today.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) recognizes the importance of these capital projects for the future of education in Alberta. Brick and mortar solutions will not solve the ongoing problems of class size and composition, teacher retention and recruitment, and inadequate support for students, particularly those with special learning needs.
Chronic underfunding has left our schools and students in dire need, and we need to catch up before we can even think about going forward.
“Public education needs to work for the students of today and the students of tomorrow. Creating a fast-track to build new schools may be a place to start, but it cannot be where the government’s commitment to students ends.”
—ATA president Jason Schilling
Today’s announcement that any relief for the operational and funding crisis must wait until Budget 2025 means another year of overcrowded classrooms, unmet needs, decreased support for students with complex issues and a lack of learning resources. Funnelling public money to charter and private schools that are not accessible to all families takes away from the majority of Alberta’s students.
“Students and teachers are still facing conditions that are not fair or sustainable. New buildings are welcomed, but what good are schools without teachers?”
—ATA president Jason Schilling
Alberta families look to the Government of Alberta to provide high-quality public education, and while this announcement promises to meet the future needs of students and teachers in Alberta, it leaves our education system struggling to respond to enrolment and resource issues.
Contact your MLA and ask why Alberta spends the least per student across the country. Investing more in Alberta’s future is the least we can do.