Why Alberta's Public Schools Deserve Your Support Right Now

Calgarians, let’s talk about the backbone of our community: our public schools. As of today, October 23, 2025, a powerful message from a young Albertan is echoing the vital role teachers play in shaping our future. This heartfelt sentiment arrives amidst a challenging time for education in our province.

Alberta’s teachers are currently in the third week of a province-wide strike, which began on October 6, impacting over 700,000 students across 2,500 schools. This historic action, following an overwhelming 89.5 percent rejection of a tentative agreement, highlights deep frustrations over classroom conditions, increasing student complexity, and compensation. Teachers are demanding smaller class sizes and more crucial support staff, which directly impacts the learning environment for Calgary’s own rapidly growing student population.

Local school boards, like the Calgary Board of Education, are already grappling with record enrolment and the ongoing challenge of maintaining services amidst what many trustees describe as underfunding despite a new provincial funding model.

The strike's direct impact is felt by Calgary families as school operations are disrupted. However, a strong sense of solidarity is evident, with Calgary educators actively organizing and supporting each other, even preparing for a major rally this week. With the government threatening back-to-work legislation by October 27, the coming days are critical. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for Calgarians to stand by our dedicated teachers and ensure public education remains a pillar for all.