School’s out for the summer, but returning in the fall could be affected by Alberta teachers going on strike.
The NDP Shadow Minister for Labour, Peggy Wright, says a potential strike happening is highlighting some of the issues that teachers have been bringing up in recent years.
“What working conditions are like for teachers and of course that also means what learning conditions are like for students all around the province. Teachers have been talking about increased class sizes, increased class complexity in terms of the kind of learners that they are faced with. In having to do with those complex learners, very much concerned about the lack of supports overall, particularly for complex learners.”
Talks are continuing between the province and the Alberta Teachers Association and a strike could formally begin in August if a deal isn’t reached.
Wright says a strike happening could have a particularly strong effect on rural communities.
“Those classrooms and schools are very much and very often the hub of the community. Teachers live and work in the same community where the kids are coming from and everyone that is involved in those community events. I can imagine that in some ways that stress of even just thinking there might be a teachers strike might be a little bit more acute.”
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
