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“We are absolutely committed to full-day kindergarten”—Johnson
The legislative assembly reconvened October 23 for its fall sitting, which is expected to run until December 6. While financial contributions to political parties and MLA compensation were front and centre in question period, education was also on the minds of several MLAs. Below are highlights of some of the proceedings that took place October 23–30.
Full-Day Kindergarten
October 29—David Eggen (NDP—Edmonton-Calder) asked Minister of Education Jeff Johnson when government would fulfill its promise to implement full-day kindergarten. “We will keep our promises,” Johnson replied. He indicated that, while a lot of work is being done, government still has to iron out such issues as infrastructure, operating funding, and the relationship between full-day kindergarten and government’s early childhood development strategy. Noting that Edmonton School District has the space to set up 20 full-day kindergarten classes, Eggen asked Johnson what is stopping government from implementing full-day kindergarten. Johnson replied that government wants full-day kindergarten to be available as a choice for all Alberta parents. Eggen asked Johnson why government is delaying the most obvious education reform. “We absolutely support full-day kindergarten,” Johnson replied, adding that government wants to make sure it gets it right. “When the budget discussions come forward in the spring . . . I’ll be looking forward to [Eggen] supporting anything that we want to do on early childhood development and full-day kindergarten,” Johnson added.
Class Size
October 24—Kent Hehr (LIB—Calgary-Buffalo) asked Johnson whether government has given up on the Alberta’s Commission on Learning’s 2003 recommendation to implement class size guidelines. “Absolutely not,” Johnson replied, noting that government is focusing its attention on the primary grades. He added that government has invested $1.6 billion in class size reduction since 2003, with the number of teachers increasing 13 per cent over the last decade. Hehr asked Johnson to commit to reducing class sizes and ensuring optimal teaching environments. Johnson replied that, while government will continue to invest in the Class Size Initiative, teachers’ skill and class composition are also important factors. “We need to try and face those at the same time as we deal with just the class size,” he said. Hehr asked Johnson whether government plans to honour Premier Alison Redford’s promise to implement full-day kindergarten. Johnson replied that government is committed to full-day kindergarten. He added that Minister of Human Services Dave Hancock is leading a review of an early childhood development strategy. “As that’s concluded this year and we further study the requirements for funding . . . we will be moving to full-day kindergarten options across the province,” he said.
Parental Choice in Education
October 24—Eggen asked Johnson to admit that section 11.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act, which allows parents to exclude their children from lessons on religion, sexuality or sexual orientation, undermines government’s attempt to build an effective antibullying and human rights education strategy. “To my knowledge . . . there have been no negative implications, and we don’t have cases of a chill in the classroom or complaints that have come forward through my ministry,” Johnson replied. Eggen asked Johnson how government members can debate the antibullying provisions of Bill 3, Education Act, “when teachers are no longer able to address these issues without Bill 44 breathing down their necks.” Johnson suggested that Eggen contact his office if he knows of instances in which teachers have been bullied. “Let’s not forget the rights of the parents, who do have a right to choice with respect to education,” Johnson added. Eggen asked Johnson whether he would help rescind section 11.1. “We need to look forward. We need to deal with the Education Act. Let’s not look back to a bill that was debated thoroughly in the house four years ago and passed,” Johnson replied.
October 30—Laurie Blakeman (LIB—Edmonton-Centre) asked Redford why she has consistently avoided rescinding section 11.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act. “We support choices and lifestyle and people who live whatever way that they want to in this province with respect to sexual orientation,” Redford replied. She added that a consultative process is under way with the gay and lesbian community “to ensure that we have a fully comprehensive legislative, regulatory and policy framework that respects all human rights.” Noting that Redford had portrayed herself and her government as progressives in the 2012 provincial general election, Blakeman asked Redford why she continues to refuse to rescind section 11.1. “Everyone in Alberta has rights that need to be protected. All rights need to be balanced. We have to be consistent with our Constitution,” Redford replied. Blakeman asked Redford why proposed government policy “allows parents to teach their children at home that homosexuality is a sin . . . but denies teachers the ability to even talk about sexuality in the classroom without the human rights commission sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.” Redford replied that government is proud its legislation is consistent with the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
No-Zero Grading Policy
October 25—Bruce McAllister (WAP—Chestermere–Rocky View) asked Johnson whether he would work with the Wildrose Alliance Caucus to resolve the no-zero grading issue. After taking the question under advisement for Johnson, who was not in the house, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Doug Horner expressed appreciation for McAllister’s desire to work together in the interest of parents and children. McAllister asked Horner whether government would commit to working with the Wildrose Alliance Caucus to eliminate the no-zero grading policy so that “teachers aren’t thrown under the bus for having the audacity to give a zero to a student that does zero work.” Horner responded by noting that Johnson had recently spoken about school board autonomy. Horner again expressed appreciation for McAllister’s desire to work together in the interest of all Albertans.
