Discussion in Alberta on What
Constitutes Safe Schools
and the Right to Education
Widescale Opposition to Alberta Government's Plan for Business as Usual
- Kevan Hunter -  
Since the Alberta government announced its reckless plan for reopening
schools in a "near-normal" scenario without corresponding provisions to
ensure student safety, opposition is developing all over Alberta.
Parent groups, students, teachers, education workers and concerned
citizens are all in motion, speaking in their own name in defence of
the right to a safe education. Groups such as Support Our Students, the
RAD Educators Network and physicians' group AlbertaDocs4Patients are
speaking out, as is the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA). Students
returned to classes this week. On August 29 Alberta recorded 184 new
cases, the highest number for a single day since April 30.
 On August 21,
pickets were held in front of the constituency
offices of about 27 of the 63 United Conservative
Party (UCP) MLAs, to demand a safe re-entry for
schools in September. Pickets took place from Fort
McMurray in the north to Lethbridge in the South.
They show a formidable force organized to demand
increased funding for education in order to have
wider safety supports for schools. The rallies
showed the determination of frontline educators
and workers, parents, students and many community
members to make sure there is a safe school
re-entry for the sake of all affected. Signs and
messages chalked on sidewalks reflect deep concern
that the government's plan to reopen schools
without social distancing and other necessary
measures at a time when community transmission of
COVID-19 is not under control will lead to
increased transmission.
A teacher in the riding of Calgary Bow stated;
"We really feel we are not being supported to do
the best job we can for our students."
Calgary parent Kyla Stack picketing in front of
Minister of Health Tyler Shandro's office said,
"Last year my youngest daughter's class had 38
students over the course of the year. There was no
room for the students to spread out."
Calgary high school teacher Stephen Yanover said,
"It is anger. It is frustratation. It is disgust.
It's just that they are doing nothing. They are
not listening to anyone."
A student attending the rally in front of Premier
Jason Kenney's constituency office stated, "It's
really not fair how students have to choose
between getting sick, not being healthy and
ruining their education."
Jason Schilling, President of the ATA, met with
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange on August 19
to discuss the ATA's concerns with the lack of
supports for a safe re-entry, but nothing changed
as a result. He also added that he believes those
on the front line of this re-entry plan, support
staff, teachers and principals "should have their
concerns heard because at the end of the day they
are the ones that have to deal directly with
students and parents."
Edmonton Southwest, August 21, 2020.
The ATA is presenting a seven-point plan which
includes the following:
- A working group that includes public health,
teachers, trustees and superintendents to develop
common standards;
- A clear plan for transitioning schools from
full-time learning to part-time or online learning
as required;
- Increased physical distancing through reduced
class sizes;
- Funding for enhanced staff, protective equipment
and HVAC improvements;
- Better plans for screening and testing of
students and staff; and
- Resources and supports to ensure the safety and
availability of substitute teachers.
Substitute teachers are particularly vulnerable
as they travel to multiple school sites. Teachers
in Alberta are not covered by the Workers’
Compensation Board, and substitute teachers lack
any benefits whatsoever to cover an extended
illness or complications from COVID-19.
How to reopen schools in a manner which
guarantees the right to education and ensures the
safety of students, teachers, education workers
and the community at large is a serious question
which requires broad public discussion and
involvement of the people. The voices of those
directly involved in the schools must be heard and
a process must be established which instills
confidence in the education system. Exceptional
circumstances require that standards and protocols
be upheld and used to find a way forward.
Instead, under the guise of local autonomy in
decision-making, the Alberta government is failing
to uphold the responsibility of the state to care
for the health and safety of all. The UCP response
is that parents have a "choice" as to whether to
send their children to school or not, and must
weigh the risks and benefits and decide for
themselves. Such actions can only further weaken
the public education system, which is precisely
what the UPC wants.
Into this void, people are stepping up and must
continue to step up and take social
responsibility. Keeping up this organizing,
speaking out with our demands for increased
funding and safety for all is crucial.
Lethbridge
Calgary Fish Creek; Calgary Glenmore
 
Calgary, Klein; Calgary Northeast
 
Lacombe
 
Edmonton, Southwest
 
Spruce Grove; Sherwood Park
 
Fort Saskatchewan
  
Fort McMurray
 
Grand Prairie
 
This article was published in
Number 57 - September 1, 2020
Article Link:
Discussion in Alberta on What
Constitutes Safe Schools : Widescale Opposition to Alberta Government's Plan for Business as Usual - Kevan Hunter
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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