“Predictable and sustainable education funding promises parents, teachers, school boards and, most importantly, our students that Alberta will retain one of the best educational systems in the world.”
Alberta’s educational system maintains a sterling reputation thanks to its strong teachers, effective school boards and involved parents. In exchange for the government taking over teachers’ pension liability, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) agreed to a five-year province-wide contract with a set formula for yearly salary increases. This sustainability has helped take some of the uncertainty out of education funding.
Consistent education funding is the next step. It is important that we restart the discussion between the ATA, school boards and the province to renew the current arrangement that would include more prep time for teachers, changes to professional days and review of class sizes. Guaranteed funding is needed to ensure we can continue to improve what we have started.