Some Edmonton public schools rotate online learning as support worker strike continues

Some schools in Edmonton's public school division are having dozens of students alternate between learning from home and learning online, while the school support worker strike continues. 

The move follows a recent ministerial order that requires schools to prioritize in-person learning during the labour dispute.

Thousands of support workers have been on strike since early January, demanding better wages. Their ranks include educational assistants who support children with disabilities or complex medical needs in the classroom. 

Edmonton Public Schools was unable to provide the specific number of schools that will be rotating students between at-home and in-person learning. 

"These decisions are made at the school level and will vary school-by-school, or even class-by-class," a spokesperson told CBC News. 

"If parents have questions about their own individual circumstances, we encourage them to reach out to their child's school directly." 

One of the schools rotating students is Michael Strembitsky School in the south Edmonton neighbourhood of Summerside.

According to a letter from the principal of the school,  the changes will affect Grade 7 and 8 students, who will now participate in a weekly rotation of at-home learning until further notice. 

In the letter, the principal acknowledged the difficulties the changes pose for families.

"We understand this change may raise questions," wrote principal Chad Sheppard. "The ministerial order prioritizes in-person learning for students with specialized needs. This rotation allows us to provide that, while still providing education to all students." 

Rory Gill, president of the CUPE Alberta Division, says the rotating learning model is not a solution.

"There's no need for this. All the government needs to do is lift the wage mandates, lift the funding freezes on public education, and put more money in education," said Gill. 

"Our folks, if they bargain freely and fairly we'll be back in the classroom very quickly. Schools cannot operate without CUPE education support workers."

Some parents expressed frustration with the new learning model, stating concerns over the long-term impact of this arrangement on student learning.

"This is not a permanent solution, this is a very damaging temporary solution," said Samar Al-Hajjaj, president of the Michael Strembitsky School Parent Foundation,  a group that raises funds for events and programs to help the school 

"The special needs kids suffered during the time when they were away, and thankfully they are back. But now they're adding another suffering to the Grade 7 and 8 [students]."

Al-Hajjaj said the recent changes were communicated with less than a day's notice, making it difficult for families to prepare or adjust. She expressed concern over the lack of effectiveness of at-home learning, referencing students' past struggles with remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Some people don't have flexible jobs, not everybody works from home and is able to make those arrangements," she said. 

The Alberta Teachers' Association also weighed in on the situation. 

"Switching between in-person and online instruction disrupts student learning," ATA president Jason Schilling said in a statement. "This approach is not a solution. It's teachers and schools once again being forced to hold together a system broken by the missteps and poor decisions of the government."

Schilling called for a resolution to the dispute so that education support staff could return to their work supporting students.