A day before Alberta budget is announced, Alberta Teacher's Association (ATA) is urging Albertans to remember $11.35 billion in total operational dollars for public education is required.
According to ATA, anything allocated to the education budget less than $11.35 billion would mean that "the province is deliberately and shamefully under funding 90 per cent of Alberta's students."
This number would amount to an increase in total education spending of $1.55 billion over current levels. Based on estimated enrolments for 2025-26, that equals roughly $9.56 per student per school day.
"A properly funded public education system means manageable class sizes, supports for complex needs for our students who require them, and resources that help students learn," ATA's President, Jason Schilling, said.
Alberta ranks last among all provinces for operational spending per student, says the ATA.
Classrooms are overcrowded, understaffed and lacking in supports and resources, according to the ATA, which says the "province has the means to fix this crisis; our students deserve better."
"Teachers and school administrators are struggling to fill in the cracks. If we do not see a substantial investment in public education, these cracks will only grow larger. We have reached our threshold of doing more with less," Schilling shared.
In the press release, ATA states while $11.35 billion is a significant investment, it reflects the outcome of years under funding despite rising costs and increased student enrolment.
Failing to invest now in the Alberta's future would result in a far greater cost to the province, according to the ATA statement.
