Alberta Teachers’ Strike: Potential Impact on Students and Families

As discussions surrounding a potential teachers’ strike in Alberta intensify, concerns are mounting about the implications for students and their families. Experts emphasize that the effects of a strike or lockout could vary significantly based on factors such as students’ ages, available community support, and the duration of school closures.

Expert Insights on Student Well-being

Joanne Park, an assistant professor in the psychology department at Mount Royal University, highlights the uncertainty associated with a strike as a source of anxiety for students. “The unknown or that uncertainty causes a lot of anxiety,” she noted. Students undergoing transitions, such as moving from elementary to junior high or high school, may experience heightened stress.

The potential academic and social consequences depend largely on the strike’s duration. Historically, teacher strikes in Alberta have varied in length, with many lasting between several days to a few weeks. Notably, in the early 1980s, teachers in Calgary faced a strike that extended beyond 40 days. Park referenced the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when prolonged school closures led to significant losses in academic achievement and negatively affected mental health.

She stated, “You can still learn from that; missing school has an impact on kids, and the longer you miss school, the bigger the impact will be.”

Disparities in Impact Among Students

The consequences of a strike may disproportionately affect families facing socioeconomic challenges. Park pointed out that those with limited resources or greater stressors tend to experience more significant hardships during such disruptions.

Michelle Briegel, a child and youth care counselor and associate professor of child studies at Mount Royal University, echoed these concerns. She emphasized that children who are already struggling academically, as well as those who rely on schools for safety and nutrition, could be the most adversely affected. “We saw that outcome with COVID—children in unsafe or unstable living environments were probably impacted the most,” she said.

Briegel further noted that while a labor disruption could have immediate effects on students’ well-being, the existing challenges in the learning environment have been ongoing. These issues are at the core of the current negotiations between teachers and school authorities.

As the situation unfolds, the potential strike raises critical questions about the long-term implications for Alberta’s educational landscape and the well-being of its students. With families, educators, and policymakers watching closely, the need for effective resolution remains paramount.