Division News Article

Connecting the Dots from Public Schools to a Diverse Thriving Economy

April 12th, 2023

Public Schools have an important role in helping to solve Education problems.

The Public School system faces numerous challenges, from supporting students dealing with mental health issues, families facing increasing affordability pressures, transportation costs, funding issues and more. Even with these issues, Alberta’s Public School System has been recognized around the world for achieving excellent outcomes. Our focus is on maintaining that standing. In addition to providing the foundation for academic excellence, Public Schools offer so much more. Students benefit from a vast array of cultural, wellness, skill-based, alternatives and enhanced programming. Public Schools truly help enable and empower Alberta students to be and to achieve their best.

It is important to note that while all Alberta schools are publicly funded, all Alberta schools are not Public Schools. To clarify, Alberta has six school systems which are all publicly funded, but not all publicly funded education is equal. Consider this, all schools in Alberta receive government funding on a per student basis. However, not all schools in Alberta are required to accept and accommodate the needs of every student. Only Public Schools welcome and accommodate to all students needs and programs and are in fact the only system required to do so. It is then clear the implications of this legislative directive are numerous.

Public School Education is the foundation of a strong Alberta.

Consider this. Public Schools are where professionals (teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, IT developers, etc.) develop their foundation for learning. Public Schools are also where skilled trade workers get their start. Essentially, Public Schools provide a foundation for any career path chosen by Albertans and any role sought by employers.

Despite challenges, one can see that Public Schools continue to function as a critical building block for a diversified workforce, driving a diversified economy. While economic diversification is a priority for our province, Alberta continues to grapple with a labour shortage that threatens to impact economic growth. Public Schools are part of this solution, helping to ensure Alberta students are ready, willing and inspired to continue their education and move forward in their career journeys.

Public Schools are often the first schools established within a community and in many cases, the only schools supporting Alberta communities. They welcome the world – and welcome every student no matter their academic abilities, race, economic constraints or religious beliefs. Public schools require appropriate funding and the responsible allocation of resources to ensure an equitable and excellent education for all Alberta students.

Public Schools are pillars in every community across Alberta. 

Through our community presence and insights gained directly from students, teachers, and parents, we have a unique and important perspective to share. As willing and capable partners, we realize the importance of working across government ministries and attaining appropriate funding to ensure Alberta students achieve their best outcomes, supported by an effective and efficient Public School System.

While there is clearly a direct correlation between educational funding and student success, our focus is on ensuring that Alberta’s Public School System provides equitable access to education for all Alberta students. To do this, Public Schools require the appropriate funding. The solution to this problem will not be easy and it will require commitments from government and advocacy from Public School system supporters.

We encourage Albertans to take the time to build their understanding of how the K-12 funding system works in Alberta. We encourage them to share their views on how Public Schools are the solution to building a diversified workforce and how Public Schools are the most welcoming equitable system that delivers excellent outcomes.

We invite you to visit https://public-schools.ab.ca to learn more about our position on Public Schools.