‘Once again, they failed’: Teachers’ association blasts Alberta government over lifting of mask mandate
Posted Feb 9, 2022 2:06 pm.
Last Updated Feb 9, 2022 8:47 pm.
After announcing masking for kids in school will be gone by Monday in Alberta, the Kenney government is under fire for failing to consult with teachers before making the decision.
On Tuesday night, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced his government’s “path back to normal.” This plan includes dropping mandatory masking for all kids in school beginning next week.
Related article: Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program lifted Wednesday, restrictions on entertainment venues removed
On Wednesday, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) responded to the announcement, scoffing at how the government handled the changes.
“This decision was made without the consultation of education stakeholders, including the association,” ATA president Jason Schilling said.
“Consulting with those who are working every day in schools was the bare minimum this government should have done and, once again, they failed at that.”
Schilling says there are still teachers who are scrambling to cover other teachers’ classes, and this move was the wrong one to make.
“To make this move right now, to remove masks, is causing some anxiety and stress among teachers because they’re still dealing with the fifth wave right now,” he explained.
On Tuesday night, Kenney responded to the concerns of some teachers on Twitter, saying they should “treat kids like kids, not ‘unsafe’ vectors of transmission.”
Disturbing to see that the teachers union thinks unmasked kids create “an unsafe workplace,” and is threatening legal action to force kids to wear masks indefinitely.
Almost all Alberta teachers are triple vaccinated.
Treat kids like kids, not “unsafe” vectors of transmission. pic.twitter.com/NdCq88SlDH
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) February 9, 2022
On Wednesday morning, Schilling responded to the tweet, saying Kenney’s remarks were disturbing.
“To have the premier target two individuals in this way, specifically in his tweet, and to throw it back into the face of teachers, after just saying in a press conference that we need to come together, we need to work together, to overcome what is happening in COVID, this is despicable behaviour… it is unbecoming of a premier,” the ATA president said.
When asked if the ATA could pursue legal action against the government in response to the changes, Schilling said the association will look at the avenues available to it in order to make sure teachers are working in a healthy and safe environment.
On Wednesday afternoon, Calgary-South East MLA Matt Jones responded to the possibility of legal action.
“I am calling on the ATA to rescind that legal threat, to stop contributing to the unwarranted environment of fear, and to focus on the education and well-being of our children.”
UCP calling on the Alberta's Teachers Association to not pursue legal action over the plan to remove mask mandates for kids, saying kids have disproportionately sacrificed despite lower risk. #yeg #Yyc #ableg #covid19ab pic.twitter.com/SjEkBgitm0
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) February 9, 2022
