Alberta Students Face Uncertain Schooling Options Amid Teachers’ Strike

As Alberta prepares for a provincewide teachers’ strike set to commence on **October 6, 2023**, Education Minister **Demetrios Nicolaides** has announced significant changes affecting students who opt for home education during the disruption. Students enrolling in home education programs will be unenrolled from their current schools and may not have guaranteed re-entry once the strike concludes.

“Families choosing to enroll their children in a home education program during the strike will no longer be registered at their public, separate, or francophone school,” Nicolaides stated in a news release. He emphasized that while school authorities must place returning students in a school within the district, there is no assurance they will return to their original institution.

In response to the strike, the government has temporarily lifted the **10-credit** per year limit on non-primary distance education. This change allows students in grades **10 to 12** to continue earning credits during the labour disruption. Students can enroll in distance learning with independent schools at any time throughout the strike while remaining registered with their primary school authority.

The government has also acknowledged the potential childcare challenges families may face during the strike. For families with children in daycare, assistance will be provided on a sliding scale based on income. Eligible families with children in grades **1 to 6** attending out-of-school care full-time will see increased funding rates after five consecutive days of strike action. The funding will rise to a maximum of **$644** monthly for families earning under **$50,000**, aligning with summer funding rates for full-time care.

Additionally, through the **Alberta Parent Payment Program**, parents or guardians of students aged **12 and under** attending affected public, separate, or francophone schools will receive **$30** per day, or **$150** per week, for the duration of the strike. Payments will be retroactive to **October 6** and will continue until the end of the disruption, with distribution commencing on **October 31** via e-transfer.

In a bid to support learning during the strike, the Alberta government plans to launch a free curated toolkit of learning materials for families, available at [Learn Alberta](https://curriculum.learnalberta.ca/pt/en/home). Furthermore, provincial heritage sites and museums will offer free admission to all Albertans aged **18 and under** throughout the strike period. However, guests aged **14 and under** must be accompanied by an adult, who will need to pay full price.

“By offering free admission for young Albertans to our provincial museums and historic sites, we are helping parents manage disruptions while giving kids meaningful learning opportunities,” said **Tanya Fir**, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

The government’s proactive approach aims to alleviate the impact on families during the anticipated strike, providing both financial support and educational resources. As discussions between educators and the government continue, the outcome remains uncertain, but the implications for students and families in Alberta are becoming clear.