Across Alberta classrooms, something important is happening to all Youth: starting at October 6, 2025, teachers represented by the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) began a province-wide strike. In this strike, more than 51,000 teachers stopped working, affecting roughly 700,000- 750,000 students in public, separate and Francophone schools. But why all these happen?
What’s driving the strike?
There are three major issues that cause to this strike:
- Classroom conditions: Teachers argue that class sizes have grown and student needs (especially students needing extra support) are more complex and difficult than ever, which making effective teaching harder.
- The total number (from grade 1 to grade 12) of students enrolled in 2020/2021 academic year is 734,794 to the total number of students enrolled in 2024/2025 academic year is 825,817, which the number increased by 12.39%
- While the growth rate of the number of teachers only increased by 4% in these 4 years.
- Compensation: The ATA reports that teachers felt their proposed increases and workload didn’t reflect the realities of the job
- The salary growth of the teacher in Alberta is 3.8% while our Consumer price index increase (2019-25) is 20.8%, our salary growth rate is far lower than other province like B.C. (Vancouver) 25.1%, Saskatchewan 15.9%, Manitoba 17.6% which they consumer price index increase similar than Alberta (~20%)
- Government funding and policy choices: While the government offered a 12% salary increase over four years and the hiring of 3,000 more teachers, the ATA rejected that offer as inadequate relative to the scale of change needed.
How student and schools are affected?
As a high school student, I am directly experiencing the ripple effects of the ongoing situation. Schools are paused, classes cancelled, and extracurricular activities put on hold. For senior students, diploma exams have become especially stressful, with schedules now filled with uncertainty. This instability can disrupt our learning rhythm, motivation, and overall well-being.
At the same time, it’s important to recognize that these suspensions and teacher absences are not without reason. Teachers have the right and freedom to stand up for fair working conditions, and their actions reflect the challenges within the education system. While this creates difficulties for students, it also helps us understand that education is shaped by more than classroom lessons — it’s influenced by policies, budgets, and the values our society places on teaching.
However, the challenges are real. Reduced instructional time, uncertainty about schedules, and potential impacts on university applications all create genuine concern. This situation calls for empathy and understanding, as it affects not only teachers but also students, families, and everyone connected to education.
A wider impact on education and society?
This strike raises an important question about how we invest in public service. If teachers are stretched thin and classrooms are crowded, what does that mean for the quality of education future generations receive? The government’s move to introduce back-to-work legislation (Back to School Act, Bill 2), to force teachers back as a political dimension. The use of emergency law to end labor action.
Sources:
https://teachers.ab.ca/news/ata-challenge-bill-2
https://www.alberta.ca/supporting-our-teachers-and-students
https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7632720
https://www.alberta.ca/student-population-statistics
https://teachers.ab.ca/news/watch-news-conference-historic-strike-hits-province
https://globalnews.ca/news/11487084/alberta-government-back-to-work-legislation-teachers-strike/