Alberta School Councils’ Association wants Alberta Education to make a commitment to better fund technology for schools and its students.
That’s one of the resolutions that will be up for discussion at the association’s annual general meeting to be held April 25.
Executive director Wendy Keiver said the switch to online learning last spring has shown that the current technology in Alberta’s schools, and access to that technology, is not conducive to online learning.
“Several school divisions in the province are still offering the online option for at least a portion of the 2021-22 school year starting in September,” Keiver said.
She said a good portion of parents would be willing to continue with an online learning environment because of the many advantages, but unfortunately Internet access is inconsistent.
“Even in downtown Edmonton where people have access to really high quality Internet, it is still not overly stable in peak hours.”
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Education ministers across Canada are lobbying for Internet improvements at the federal level, and the association encourages Education Minister Adriana Lagrange to continue those advocacy efforts so all Alberta students have equitable and consistent access to online learning.
Other resolutions proposed for the association’s annual general meeting include restoring early intervention funding for young students with mild to severe needs, putting maximum time limits on school bus rides, and eliminating public funding to private schools except those serving students with disabilities.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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