Alberta Students Face Disruption as Teachers’ Strike Continues

EDMONTON – University students in Alberta are grappling with significant disruptions to their education as the strike by thousands of teachers continues. The action, which began on October 6, 2025, has left approximately 740,000 students out of classrooms, impacting their ability to complete required practicum hours necessary for graduation.

Haley Roberts, a 22-year-old student at the University of Alberta, is among those affected. With a passion for working with children, Roberts has been eagerly preparing for her nine-week Grade 4 practicum. However, the strike has halted her plans, coinciding with the day teachers walked off the job. “It’s just quite fulfilling,” Roberts expressed about her teaching aspirations, adding that she had anticipated this vital experience to enhance her learning.

The situation stems from ongoing tensions between the provincial government and the Alberta Teachers’ Association. The previous offer from the government, which included a 12 percent salary increase over four years and a commitment to hire 3,000 additional teachers, was overwhelmingly rejected by educators. Despite ongoing negotiations, uncertainty looms as talks resumed on Tuesday after a prolonged period of inactivity.

Roberts noted a lack of communication from her university leading up to the strike. “There wasn’t much communication other than a few emails here and there from our university facilitators,” she shared. Students like Roberts typically need 10 weeks of practical experience to graduate, but the strike has left them with limited options to fulfill these requirements elsewhere.

Similarly, Jillian Gulli, who is also set to graduate in January, faces similar hurdles. She was scheduled to begin her Grade 6 practicum this month, but that has now been postponed. Gulli expressed frustration over the uncertainty, stating, “We actually didn’t hear anything from the U of A at all until like three days before the strike.”

As many students reach out to their educator parents for insights on the situation, Gulli emphasizes that the lack of communication only adds to their anxiety. “Most of the time, it’s like, ‘Do you know when we’re going to go back?’” she said.

While the University of Alberta has not provided public comments on the strike, the impact on students is palpable. Union president Jason Schilling has cited chronic underfunding by the provincial government as a root cause of the ongoing conflict. In response, Finance Minister Nate Horner has reiterated that the last proposal was reasonable and called for a collaborative approach to reach an equitable resolution.

Roberts believes that adequately addressing the union’s demands would improve conditions in classrooms for future generations of students. Despite the challenges posed by the strike, Gulli remains hopeful about her future in education, stating, “My bubble hasn’t been burst yet.”

As negotiations continue and the strike persists, students in Alberta face an uncertain path towards completing their educational requirements. The outcome will not only affect their immediate futures but also the broader landscape of education in the province.