Alberta Teachers to Strike, Schools Close as Parents Prepare

EDMONTON — A significant teachers’ strike is set to begin on Monday, October 3, 2025, as the Alberta Teachers’ Association announced that 51,000 members would walk off the job in response to the rejection of the province’s latest contract offer. This decision follows a contentious negotiation period, culminating in nearly 90 percent of voting teachers opposing the proposed agreement, which included a 12 percent pay increase over four years and a commitment to hire an additional 3,000 instructors.

As parents brace for the impact of the strike, schools across the province are preparing to suspend classes. Most school boards, including those in Edmonton and Calgary, have issued notifications indicating that, barring a last-minute resolution, students will not attend school starting Monday. The disruption will also affect extracurricular activities, field trips, and sports.

Fae Rad, the education director at Scholars of Calgary Northwest, a local tutoring centre, has reported a surge in inquiries from concerned parents. “Usually, I receive about three calls each week, but since the strike was confirmed, that number has skyrocketed to ten,” she stated. Parents are eager to arrange tutoring for their children, particularly in subjects like math, science, and French, which they feel unqualified to teach themselves.

To assist families during the strike, the provincial government is offering a payment of $30 per day for each child aged 12 and under to help cover childcare costs and tutoring services. This initiative is projected to cost between $15 million and $20 million per day, impacting a student population of over 700,000 across public, separate, and francophone schools. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides emphasized the importance of supporting students during this challenging time. “The primary reason we put this toolkit together is to ensure parents can help their children continue their academic progression and learning,” he said.

Despite these efforts, there is widespread concern among parents and students about the potential long-term consequences of the strike. Calgary high school senior Cali Witheridge-Kwan expressed her anxiety over the impact on her education. “This strike could last a month,” she noted. “Teachers are discussing how to fit a whole curriculum into a shortened timeframe, which adds a lot of stress.”

Community initiatives are also emerging in response to the strike. The City of Edmonton plans to host pop-up educational day camps at local attractions, while private businesses are organizing “strike camps” to provide safe environments for children during the school closure. Many parents are seeking long-term plans, with Rad noting that they are looking to secure tutoring for at least three weeks.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association, led by union president Jason Schilling, acknowledges the disruption a strike may cause for families but remains firm in its commitment to advocate for better conditions for educators and students. Schilling pointed out that some tools provided by the government may not adequately address students’ current needs, as they may be based on outdated curricular expectations.

As Alberta prepares for the strike, the future of education in the province hangs in the balance, with both sides still far apart in negotiations. The situation underscores the challenges facing educators and families alike, as they navigate the complexities of a public education system in turmoil.