Muhammad Irfan 
The True Post (Web News)As the deadline for a province-wide teachers’ strike approaches, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the provincial government have resumed “preliminary discussions” in hopes of reaching an agreement. Despite these talks, the strike is set to begin on Monday.
ATA President Jason Schilling said that even if a tentative deal is reached over the weekend, it would still require about a week for members’ ratification. Therefore, the strike will go ahead as scheduled. He clarified that any agreement cannot take effect immediately because it must go through the ratification process.
At Calgary’s Robert Thirsk High School, the final day before the strike brought uncertainty, particularly for Grade 12 students preparing for higher education. Graduate student Sophia Gamorson said it has been difficult to plan for university and diploma exams. Her classmate Vienna Coté added that students who rely heavily on school support may face greater challenges, with their academic performance and future opportunities at risk.
In response to the strike, the Alberta government announced new support measures on Friday. The annual 10-credit limit will be temporarily lifted to allow students to earn credits. Parents may enroll children in supervised home education programs at independent schools and can access up to 50% of the home education grant, capped at $450 per child. Younger children will receive free admission to selected provincial heritage sites and museums. After five consecutive strike days, child-care subsidies for Grades 1–6 will rise to summer rates, up to $644. Parents will also receive $30 per day for children aged 12 and under to cover child care and tutoring costs, with daily reimbursements estimated at $15–20 million.
Community groups are stepping in to help with childcare. Vanessa Hunt, program and rental coordinator at the Bearspaw Community Association, said demand for “teachers’ strike camps” has increased, and their weekly sessions are ready to continue.
Extracurricular activities could also suffer. Coté expressed concern for her boyfriend, captain of the football team, saying the strike may disrupt his training and limit his chances to join future teams.
Most school boards including Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Lethbridge have already notified families that classes will be suspended from Monday unless a last-minute deal is struck.
