The June press release contains other promises of future largesse. The harsh truth is that schools are still reeling from the government's 1994 knife-wielding exercise in fiscal prudence. True, this year's budget did not contain further cuts to education. Education grants remain at the same level as 1994, following the five percent cut, while costs are rising. Schools are treading water as fast as they can, trying to cope.
Teachers have too many students, particularly special needs students, and too few resources.
No doubt, when teachers start the next round of contract talks this September, they will once again feel obliged to trade off salary expectations for the promise of a classroom that remains on the bare fringes of manageable. Let's hear it for the Alberta advantage. All rights reserved. Used under License.