Alberta Diploma Exams Cancelled After Teachers’ Strike
The Alberta government has officially cancelled January diploma exams, following a three-week teachers’ strike that disrupted classrooms across the province. Education officials say the decision aims to ensure fairness for Grade 12 students affected by the lengthy work stoppage.
Along with diploma exams, the province also cancelled Grade 9 provincial achievement tests. The cancellations were confirmed Friday afternoon, just one day after a brief website update hinted at the decision.
Website Update Sparks Early Confusion
On Thursday, the government’s website briefly showed that the exams would not proceed, suggesting students would receive their school-awarded marks as final grades. However, officials quickly clarified the premature update.
A spokesperson for Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides explained that a technical glitch caused the information to appear earlier than planned. The official confirmation came Friday, removing any uncertainty for students and teachers.
Strike’s Impact on Semester Leads to Decision
The strike, which involved more than 50,000 Alberta teachers, closed classrooms for about 20 per cent of the semester. Education leaders said that loss of instructional time made it unreasonable to expect students to prepare adequately for their exams.
Originally, the province had already made the January diploma exams optional due to ongoing labour disruptions. However, after reviewing the situation, the government decided to cancel them altogether.
How the Cancellation Affects Students
Under normal conditions, diploma exams make up 30 per cent of a Grade 12 student’s final mark, with the remaining 70 per cent coming from coursework and school assessments. With the cancellation, students will now receive their school-awarded grades as their final marks for January.
Education officials have confirmed that students who still wish to write their exams can do so during the April or June sessions. This option provides flexibility for anyone who wants an opportunity to improve their marks later in the school year.
Focus Shifts Back to Classroom Learning
The end of the strike and the cancellation of exams now allow teachers and students to focus on finishing the semester without additional pressure. Many educators have welcomed the move, saying it helps restore stability and ensures no student is unfairly penalized for missed classroom time.
As schools resume normal operations, attention turns to helping students recover lost learning and prepare for upcoming academic milestones later in the year.
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