The spring sitting of the legislature began on February 24 and is scheduled to run until May 14. Here are highlights of the education-related discussions that took place in question period during the week of April 23.
Teacher Training, April 23
Chelsae Petrovic (UCP MLA for Livingstone-Macleod) made a members’ statement on the issue of teacher training. Petrovic argued that the government was creating pathways for subject-matter experts with advanced degrees and real-world experience to enter classrooms, stating, “Our government is opening the door for real experts […] to step into our classrooms and teach what they actually know.” She framed this as a way to strengthen education and criticized the response from faculties of education, as well as the Association of Alberta Deans of Education. She suggested their opposition was about maintaining control over teacher training rather than upholding standards.
Petrovic focused heavily on concerns about ideological content in teacher education programs. She claimed that courses emphasize social justice frameworks at the expense of what she described as core academic priorities and practical teaching skills.
She contrasted this with what she said teachers and parents want: stronger preparation in classroom management, curriculum delivery and foundational subjects. She concluded by defending the government’s approach as focused on maintaining standards while reducing ideological influence in education.
Bill 25, April 22
Eric Bouchard (UCP MLA for Calgary-Lougheed) argued that classrooms should focus on student learning rather than political or ideological influence. He asked Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides why Bill 25, An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act, was needed and how it would restore trust in the education system.
Nicolaides responded that classrooms should teach students how to think, not what to think, emphasizing the importance of impartial instruction and exposure to diverse perspectives.
Bouchard followed up by asking how the legislation would define expectations to ensure neutrality in teaching. Nicolaides said amendments to the Education Act would require instructional materials to be delivered without personal bias, reflecting public expectations.
Bouchard then questioned how the bill would be enforced and what accountability measures would be in place. Nicolaides replied that the changes would reinforce respectful student behaviour and protect students’ ability to express diverse viewpoints.
Nicolaides concluded by criticizing the NDP, arguing they had previously promoted political and ideological perspectives in classrooms, which his government opposed.
School Construction in Northeast Edmonton, April 22
Heather Sweet (NDP MLA for Edmonton-Manning) raised concerns about rapid population growth in her riding and said several schools that are needed, including Crystallina and Marquis K–6 projects, remained unfunded, contributing to overcrowding and long travel times for students. She asked Nicolaides why the government had not addressed the growing demand for space.
Nicolaides responded that the government was undertaking a historic $8.6-billion school construction program expected to create over 200,000 new and modernized student spaces across Alberta.
Sweet followed up by arguing that announced projects in her riding were not actually funded and warned of a bottleneck as large elementary cohorts moved into higher grades. She said the lack of investment was leading to increased overcrowding and leaving her riding without a high school.
Nicolaides replied that project prioritization relied on recommendations from local school boards and noted that some projects in her riding had been approved, including schools in Pilot Sound, McConachie and Kirkness.
Sweet responded that key high school projects, including the Horse Hill 7–12 project and a Catholic high school in Gorman, remained unfunded despite being requested by school boards. She asked whether the government would ensure access to local high school spaces.
Nicolaides concluded that the government received hundreds of school project requests annually and could not fund them all. He added that the government was prioritizing fast-growing areas, such as Edmonton and Calgary, based on school division recommendations.
