Teachers have once again answered the call for international aid. The Alberta Teachers’ Association recently contributed $1,500 to show support and solidarity with teacher colleagues affected by the conflict in Gaza. The donation was made to Education International (EI) through the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF).
As of the end of March, more than 5,800 students and 264 teachers have been killed in the Gaza war zone. Over 625,000 students have found themselves without schools and denied the right to an education. That’s nearly 80 per cent of the entire K–12 student population in Alberta.
Jason Schilling, president of the ATA, says that when the call to help their colleagues comes in, teachers respond.
“When we see our fellow teachers struggling under intense circumstances, wherever that may be, and we have the ability to help, then we help as best we can,” Schilling said. “Teachers have made it a priority in our budget to set aside funds to help our colleagues who may have lost everything. I am proud that my colleagues recognize that when we have the opportunity and ability to provide some assistance, we do.”
EI is the world’s largest representative group of teacher organizations and education employees, consisting of 32.5 million union members from 384 organizations in 178 countries and territories. The CTF is one of those member organizations and often looks to its own national membership when the request for international aid comes in.
Thanks to the support from EI members around the world, the General Union of Palestinian Teachers has provided direct financial assistance to more than 1,077 teachers in Gaza and the West Bank.
Track record
This isn’t the first time Alberta teachers have stepped up when the need for international aid has arisen.
In recent years, the ATA has made significant donations to EI for the 2023 Morocco earthquake, the 2023 Turkey and Syria earthquake, the 2021 Haiti earthquake, the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine, and the Free Trade Union of Education and Science in Ukraine, and financially supported an application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for an at-risk Afghan colleague and their family.
The Association also undertakes non-monetary aid initiatives. In October of 2021, a written letter was sent to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressing Association support for Iranian teacher colleagues.
Assistance for our colleagues here at home also remains strong. When a call to billet teachers and their families fleeing from the Northwest Territories wildfires went out last summer, ATA members responded in astonishing numbers.
Schilling says that while teachers may face professional challenges here at home, they recognize the value of education everywhere and how students and society benefit from a well-supported and well-funded public education system.
“Every student and teacher deserves to work in a safe, caring and respectful place,” said Schilling. “Alberta teachers understand that as a core belief of our public education system.” ❚
