Update from our Annual Report

Education Task Force Report in PIA's 2010-2011 Annual Report

Click here for the Education Task Force Report in PDF

Click here to access our full annual reports

Plain text of the Education Task Force Report:

Advocating for a public education system that can develop the full potential of all Alberta students continues to be the central theme of PIA’s education task force. While Alberta does have much to celebrate about our education system, we also know that we have many serious issues to address.

PIA’s Education Task Force helped to raise many critical issues during the school board trustee elections in October 2010. We did an extensive survey of Trustee candidates on issues like support for special needs education, school maintenance, infrastructure and closures, and the independence and transparency of local boards. We published the results of this survey and actively encouraged our members to review the results prior to voting.

The Minister of Education’s review of Education and Special Education was concluded this past year and Bill 18, the new School Act was tabled on April 27. The task force has been reviewing the implications of the various changes to the act and will be actively participating in the advocacy efforts in the lead up to its passage in the fall sitting of the legislature.

Of course, the largest issue currently facing our education system is the fact the government has underfunded the system by $100 million. School boards across Alberta are currently in the process of laying off essential staff and teachers, and are not able to address their huge infrastructure deficits and many are exploring possible school closures. The task force will be working to launch a public advocacy campaign that brings all of the education partners together with our other members to mobilize people across the province to take action. The next phase of the Join Together Alberta campaign will certainly feature how education is being cut while the government gives away billions to corporations.

Also available: Last year's (2009-2010) Task Force Report in PDF