Some Calgary parents relieved after Alberta orders teachers back to work

The Alberta government introduced back-to-work legislation Monday, forcing striking teachers back to school by Wednesday.

The province invoked the Charter’s notwithstanding clause ordering more than 50,000 teachers back to work. Some Calgary parents CityNews spoke to say they’re feeling a huge weight off their shoulders following the news.

“I’m very relieved,” said parent Christine Jackson. “Kids need the foundational stuff. My elementary school kids need the basics and trying to do that myself as somebody who doesn’t have a background in education they get confused and frustrated, and so do I.”

Anand Karuppiah is also feeling a sense of relief.

“The children need to go back to school,” he said.

Teachers across the province have been on strike since Oct. 6, as the UCP and the Alberta Teachers’ Association haven’t been able to come to a deal over salaries, large class sizes, and a lack of resources.

Other parents like Kate Cougle tell CityNews she’s worried about the learning environment that she’s sending her kids back to.

“I feel a little bit of sadness for the teachers. If we’re going back on Wednesday and they’re going back as well, what was achieved? I want them to make sure that they were heard and seen,” she said. “Because ultimately, they’re supporting the students, right? We want our kids in an environment where they’re getting properly looked after and they have the right resources.”

The province says teachers would receive a 12 per cent wage hike over four years, also promising to hire more than 3,000 teachers and bring in 1,500 educational assistants.