‘Stand for public education’: Albertans pack legislature grounds for rally
Kellen Taniguchi - TODAY - Edmonton Journal
Related video: Thousands attend rally for public education at Alberta legislature
Duration 1:56
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Chants of “stand for public education” echoed around the Alberta legislature grounds Saturday afternoon as crowds rallied for a better system.
The rally was held on the steps of the Alberta legislature, where calls for funding, smaller class sizes and a “forward-looking” curriculum were made. Albertans from Calgary and southern Alberta drove through snow to be at Saturday’s rally, while northern Alberta and local teachers and parents also showed their support.
Among the countless signs emphasizing the importance of public education and the red “stand for public education” scarves waving in the sky were Kris and Karen Fedun, both Edmonton Public school teachers and parents to two daughters, aged 14 and 16.
Kris said it was important for his family to be at the rally.
“The main message for me is that no matter what political party is in power, that education needs to be coming to the forefront because of the amount of impact it has to our community,” he said.
“Right now, we’re faced with a lot of large class sizes, students that don’t get support, we have students who are coming from overseas who don’t speak the language and we don’t even have an EA to support that student who just sits there in our classroom and sadly has to struggle.”
Karen said any government in power needs to prioritize Alberta’s education system.
“If our dollars go toward our public funding then we have more resources to give our students,” she said.
Kris added his daughters also attended the rally to see their parents “lead by example.”
“We wanted them to see that it isn’t just us talking in our home, just because we’re teachers, and that education is important to all Albertans,” he said, adding his daughters understand the value of education and wanted to support.
Wendy Palk of Edson, whose grandson is in kindergarten, holds a sign during Saturday’s education rally at the Alberta legislature and said she’s worried about the the curriculum. Alberta teachers, parents and education advocates from across the province gathered at the Alberta legislature Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, to celebrate public education and demand it become, and remain, a priority for those currently in office and those seeking office in the next provincial election. Kellen Taniguchi/Postmedia
Wendy Palk travelled from Edson for Saturday’s rally. She hoisted a sign that read: “My grandchildren deserve better.”
Palk said she is upset with the current government’s curriculum plans and she’s worried about her grandson, who is currently in kindergarten. She added many Albertans have voiced their concern over the curriculum, but they haven’t been heard.
“Never give up,” she said. “I don’t know if Danielle Smith will listen, but look at the people here, this is amazing. This is just a small number of people in the province who believe in public education and are being ignored by this government.”
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The rally was co-sponsored by the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA).
Jason Schilling, ATA president, ended the rally with a list of needs for public education.
“We want to see smaller class sizes so our students have the best opportunity to learn from their teachers. We want a modern, diverse, forward-thinking curriculum … We want a curriculum that is inclusive of all students and their realities and one that truly all students can see themselves and their families,” said Schilling.
“We want a comprehensive school plan that addresses the complex needs of our students, especially after these last few difficult years. And we want funding that fully and completely supports the needs of our students, especially our students with special needs.”
Schilling hopes to carry momentum of the rally into the 2023 provincial election. He added the ATA, ASCA and ATA locals across Alberta will be hosting community conversations over the next few months where supporters for public education are invited to share ideas.
ktaniguchi@postmedia.com
twitter.com/kellentaniguchi
Kellen Taniguchi - TODAY - Edmonton Journal
Related video: Thousands attend rally for public education at Alberta legislature
Duration 1:56
View on Watch
Chants of “stand for public education” echoed around the Alberta legislature grounds Saturday afternoon as crowds rallied for a better system.
The rally was held on the steps of the Alberta legislature, where calls for funding, smaller class sizes and a “forward-looking” curriculum were made. Albertans from Calgary and southern Alberta drove through snow to be at Saturday’s rally, while northern Alberta and local teachers and parents also showed their support.
Among the countless signs emphasizing the importance of public education and the red “stand for public education” scarves waving in the sky were Kris and Karen Fedun, both Edmonton Public school teachers and parents to two daughters, aged 14 and 16.
Kris said it was important for his family to be at the rally.
“The main message for me is that no matter what political party is in power, that education needs to be coming to the forefront because of the amount of impact it has to our community,” he said.
“Right now, we’re faced with a lot of large class sizes, students that don’t get support, we have students who are coming from overseas who don’t speak the language and we don’t even have an EA to support that student who just sits there in our classroom and sadly has to struggle.”
Karen said any government in power needs to prioritize Alberta’s education system.
“If our dollars go toward our public funding then we have more resources to give our students,” she said.
Kris added his daughters also attended the rally to see their parents “lead by example.”
“We wanted them to see that it isn’t just us talking in our home, just because we’re teachers, and that education is important to all Albertans,” he said, adding his daughters understand the value of education and wanted to support.
Wendy Palk of Edson, whose grandson is in kindergarten, holds a sign during Saturday’s education rally at the Alberta legislature and said she’s worried about the the curriculum. Alberta teachers, parents and education advocates from across the province gathered at the Alberta legislature Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, to celebrate public education and demand it become, and remain, a priority for those currently in office and those seeking office in the next provincial election. Kellen Taniguchi/Postmedia
Wendy Palk travelled from Edson for Saturday’s rally. She hoisted a sign that read: “My grandchildren deserve better.”
Palk said she is upset with the current government’s curriculum plans and she’s worried about her grandson, who is currently in kindergarten. She added many Albertans have voiced their concern over the curriculum, but they haven’t been heard.
“Never give up,” she said. “I don’t know if Danielle Smith will listen, but look at the people here, this is amazing. This is just a small number of people in the province who believe in public education and are being ignored by this government.”
Related
Alberta NDP says it would spend $3M to train skilled trades workers
Ban on teaching anti-racism, diversity included in Alberta UCP policy resolutions
Critics say new curriculum rushed, age-inappropriate and lacking resources
The rally was co-sponsored by the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA).
Jason Schilling, ATA president, ended the rally with a list of needs for public education.
“We want to see smaller class sizes so our students have the best opportunity to learn from their teachers. We want a modern, diverse, forward-thinking curriculum … We want a curriculum that is inclusive of all students and their realities and one that truly all students can see themselves and their families,” said Schilling.
“We want a comprehensive school plan that addresses the complex needs of our students, especially after these last few difficult years. And we want funding that fully and completely supports the needs of our students, especially our students with special needs.”
Schilling hopes to carry momentum of the rally into the 2023 provincial election. He added the ATA, ASCA and ATA locals across Alberta will be hosting community conversations over the next few months where supporters for public education are invited to share ideas.
ktaniguchi@postmedia.com
twitter.com/kellentaniguchi
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