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What’s to prevent a publicly funded school of Scientology or Druids?—Hehr
Education was again front and centre in the final week of the legislative assembly’s spring sitting. Featured here are highlights of some of the issues raised in question period from March 19–22.
Education Funding
March 19—Kent Hehr (LIB—Calgary-Buffalo) asked Minister of Education Thomas Lukaszuk why there are 480 fewer teachers in 2011/12 than in 2010/11. Lukaszuk replied that government had injected an additional $107 million into the education system, “which now is replicated in the next three budgets, for hiring teachers.” Hehr asked Lukaszuk whether he was aware that the one per cent increase for teachers’ salaries and classroom operations would lead to fewer teachers in 2012/13. Lukaszuk replied that the provincial education budget would rise from $6.8 billion to $7.1 billion over the next three years. “We believe that we fund education very well compared to any other province in this country,” he said. Hehr asked Lukaszuk to admit either that “(a) the budget is wrong or that (b) he’s going to have to keep teachers out on strike in order to make his budget a reality.” Lukaszuk replied that Alberta has one of the top four education systems in the world. He added that the system provides more parental choice and receives more per-student funding than those of any other province.
March 20—Liberal Leader Raj Sherman asked Premier Alison Redford why government does not provide sustainable and adequate funding for public education. Redford replied that government had reinvested $107 million in classrooms in October 2011. Sherman asked Redford why government is “bent on starving our public school system in favour of private, American-style education.” Redford replied that educational choice is a hallmark of Alberta. “We have a wide range of opportunities, from home schooling to charter schools to private schools to public schools to separate schools in this province. We support all of them,” she said. Sherman asked Redford to commit to adequately funding public schools and cancelling school fees. Redford replied that some programs of choice involve fees, “but those are partly the parents’ choices in terms of how we do this.”
First Nations Education
March 20—Pearl Calahasen (PC—Lesser Slave Lake) asked Lukaszuk when government would ensure that First Nations students receive a top-notch education. Lukaszuk replied that government has been working with First Nations chiefs and educators “who are willing to look outside the proverbial box and start delivering education to Aboriginal kids in a way that is collaborative and will yield results.” Calahasen asked Lukaszuk when the supports would be available to First Nations schools in Northland School Division. “Starting now,” Lukaszuk replied. “These leaders that I referred to have signed an agreement right now. As a matter of fact, our federal minister of Aboriginal affairs, Minister [John] Duncan, and I are willing and are interested in assisting in making sure that this collaboration and this agreement is a successful one.” Calahasen asked Lukaszuk how the agreement between Northland School Division and Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council would affect other First Nations communities in the province. Lukaszuk responded by expressing hope that other First Nations communities and provincial governments would look at the agreement. “This is, indeed, innovative, and it shows that when you have three orders of government together with a school board working together and making children, and children only, their priority, good things can happen,” he said.
Home Schooling
March 20—Hehr asked Lukaszuk what would prevent government from funding “a school of Scientology or Druids or a school for witches and Wiccans.” Lukaszuk took issue with the suggestion. “Albertans make choices on the education of their children, and I would never compare any parent who is choosing to home-school their child to being involved in witchcraft,” he said. Hehr asked Lukaszuk whether he was comfortable with parents teaching their children “that homosexuality is a sin or that evolution is not real.” Lukaszuk described Hehr’s suggestions as troubling. Hehr reiterated his question. “I am comfortable with the fact that parents have the right of teaching their children and passing on their family values, their religious beliefs and their morality. That is what we do as parents,” Lukaszuk replied.
Collection of School Fees
March 22—Sherman asked Redford why government allows school boards to “sic” collection agencies on working families who have not paid their school fees. Redford replied that government will always ensure that parents have choice and that, if they choose activities for their children not included in the standard curriculum, they must honour their agreements with the providers of those activities. Sherman asked Redford why government insists on "wrecking" high school graduation with collection agencies. Lukaszuk replied that Alberta’s education system is among the top four in the world and offers the most choice of any province. Sherman asked Redford to commit to saying no to collection agencies and yes to the elimination of school fees. Redford replied that government has committed to sustainable funding for public education on a three-year cycle, allowing for the continued provision of high-quality education.
