Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
“We are dedicated to ensuring every student in the province continues to receive a world-class education, even during ongoing strikes.
School boards have the trust of Alberta Education to make decisions regarding educational programming at the local level, as we believe they know best the needs of their students and schools. This includes plans to continue learning during strikes and or labour shortages.
“To help ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff during recent strikes, the Edmonton Public School Division requested, and was provided with, a ministerial order for an exemption to the in-person learning option for students who are supported by an educational assistant. Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Board of Education, Fort McMurray School District and Sturgeon School Division also all applied for and were granted similar exemptions.
“A recent court ruling highlighted the need to expand the reach of any exemption order to ensure that resources are evaluated and distributed to ensure all students are considered, regardless of whether they require educational assistant support or not.
“We have taken the court’s ruling very seriously and we will be making changes to the ministerial orders immediately. In-person learning is important for students’ success and mental well-being and Alberta’s government will continue to work with school partners to continue in-person learning during ongoing strikes.
“We have taken steps to replace all ministerial exemption orders in effect with new exemption orders, inclusive of terms and conditions, which will direct school authorities to:
- Evaluate and distribute all resources considering all students in an inclusive, equitable and fair manner.
- Make reasonable efforts to:
- Provide an in-person learning option to all students.
- Enable a student to continue with the same courses and education program if they switch to at-home learning.
- Communicate with parents and students regularly.
“Alberta’s government expects school boards to be in consistent and clear communication with students and parents during the ongoing strikes, and we continue to expect them to share details of their plans with their school communities as soon as they are able to do so.
“Alberta’s K-12 education system has been built to provide our students with a world-class education that supports their academic, emotional and physical well-being, and we remain committed to this vision.”