As Alberta’s teacher strike enters Day 2, the province signals it may hire more teachers but remains reluctant to cap classroom sizes.
Province Reopens Talks Amid Widespread School Closures
On the second day of a province-wide teachers’ strike, Alberta’s education minister said the government is prepared to revisit staffing numbers to help end the labour dispute that has closed schools across the province. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides told, The Calgary Eyeopener on Tuesday that the government is willing to negotiate an increased number of new hires to meet classroom needs.
Government Signals Flexibility on Staffing Levels
Nicolaides said Alberta is open to adjusting its earlier offer, which included 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 educational assistants. “If we need to hire 4,500 teachers or 2,000 EAs instead of 1,500, we’re happy to have those conversations,” he said. The minister added that the province remains willing to explore higher staffing targets to address workload concerns voiced by educators.
Teachers Push for Smaller, More Manageable Classrooms
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), led by President Jason Schilling, said the government’s offer falls short of addressing the root causes of strain in classrooms. Schilling argued that teachers need “more than just additional hires” — they need funding guarantees and smaller, less complex class environments. “We can talk about ratios,” he said, “but the government has indicated they’re not willing to do that. That’s something that must be resolved at the table.”
Minister Rejects Calls to Cap Class Sizes
Nicolaides reiterated his opposition to implementing classroom size caps, citing research suggesting such limits have little measurable impact on academic outcomes. Alberta previously established class-size guidelines following the 2002 teachers’ strike, but those standards were discontinued in 2019 when the United Conservative Party stopped collecting class-size data. The ATA argues that meeting the 2003 benchmarks today would require over 5,000 additional teachers.
Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions
For decades, Alberta’s education system has grappled with balancing teacher workloads and funding pressures. The last significant reforms came after the 2003 Alberta Commission on Learning report, which recommended class-size targets and increased funding. Those standards were never fully enforced, and the current strike reflects years of growing frustration among educators over rising enrolment, stagnant resources, and inconsistent provincial data tracking.
Experts Warn of Reputational Costs and Labour Risks
Labour relations expert Jason Foster of Athabasca University said the province risks damaging its reputation if the dispute continues. “You can’t just throw money at the problem,” Foster said. “You have to create working conditions that attract and retain teachers.” He added that the ongoing strike could discourage new educators from entering Alberta’s system and harm the province’s competitiveness with other regions.
Next Steps in Negotiations
Both sides remain in exploratory talks, working toward a path back to formal negotiations. Nicolaides said the government hopes to resolve the dispute quickly, while Schilling emphasized that meaningful progress will depend on addressing classroom conditions as well as pay and staffing levels. No firm timeline has been set for a return to the bargaining table, leaving schools closed and thousands of families waiting for a resolution.
