Calgary students join provincewide walkout backing teachers

Thousands of Alberta students, including many in Calgary, walked out of class Thursday morning to show support for teachers who were legislated back to work earlier this week under the province’s Back to School Act.

The walkouts were planned by students through social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.

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Participants said they wanted to show solidarity with teachers and express concerns about classroom conditions and the provincial government’s handling of the dispute.

The walkout organizer at Henry Wise Wood High School said only students were involved in the planning of the walkouts.

“I felt really hurt, personally, by the actions the government has been taking with the teachers,” said Andrea Eschegoyen, a Grade 12 student.

“(Teachers) don’t have fair payment, they don’t have fair class sizes,” said Sarah Arias, also a Grade 12 student.

For some students, the reason to rally is simple.

“Because education matters, it’s a basic requirement,” said Derek Du, a Grade 10 student.

Students from schools in downtown Calgary gathered outside city hall after leaving their classrooms.

Their signs demonstrated frustration with the UCP government’s decision to legislate teachers back to work—and to use the notwithstanding clause, which blocks some Charter rights.

“They’re abusing their power. They don’t need to be doing that,” said one Grade 12 student from Western Canada High School, whose name couldn’t be heard over the honking horns.

Students also raised concerns about having to make up nearly a month of missed classes following the teachers’ strike.

With diploma exams scheduled in the coming weeks, an online petition calling for the cancellation or postponement of January exams has received thousands of signatures.

Diploma exams for Grade 12 courses are worth 30 per cent.

The office of the education minister said an announcement is coming shortly.

As for changes to the academic calendar to account for almost a month of lost class time, CTV News received multiple statements.

From the Calgary Catholic School District:

“We will be extending the high school first quarter from Oct. 30 to Nov. 12. This will allow high school teachers time to assess and complete three-credit courses.

“Consequently, the second quarter will be shortened and start on Nov. 13. Changing the overall district calendar would have significant impacts on union contracts, staffing, transportation and family and staff plans already in place.

“We also recognize the importance of our teachers’ Professional Growth (PG) and Faith days. Now more than ever, these days are essential for our teachers to support ongoing learning, collaboration and growth to directly benefit students in the classroom.”

From the Calgary Board of Education:

“Fall break will proceed as scheduled. After careful consideration, it was decided that changing the school calendar at this time would impact staffing, transportation, as well as staff and family plans already in place.

“If other adjustments to the school calendar are necessary, staff and families will be notified as early as possible.

“We continue to wait for direction from Alberta Education and Childcare about January diploma exams. We will share more information as soon as it becomes available.”