After the Alberta government swiftly ended the teachers’ strike, educators and students have returned to their classrooms after more than three weeks. The resumption of classes has raised worries among students about academic setbacks and teachers about the potential non-return of struggling students.
During the strike, Grade 12 student Barlas Salimbay expressed concerns about the impact of the school hiatus on his university applications. With universities opening applications on October 1, Salimbay is eager to apply early but faces confusion due to missing grades in two classes.
Across the province, high school students are planning a class walkout on Thursday to protest the province’s legislation enforcing a collective agreement and utilizing the notwithstanding clause to prevent legal challenges for the four-year deal.
Despite his desire to support teachers, Salimbay is considering opting out of the walkout due to the significant loss of class time. High school science and math teacher Bhu Chana anticipates challenges in reintegrating students and catching up on missed learning.
Siobhan Kellar, a high school English teacher, fears that students who were already struggling before the strike may choose not to return. She works with students at risk of dropping out and highlights the diverse impact of the strike on different student populations.
Kellar emphasized the importance of reaching out to missing students and offering support to help them catch up. Both the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District have stated their readiness to provide resources and support to students affected by the strike.