As the teachers’ strike continues across Alberta, the provincial government is rolling out temporary supports to help families with child care and student learning.
Child-care Funding
The province will raise funding support for eligible children in Grades 1 to 6 who are attending full-time out-of-school care.
The increase will take effect after five consecutive days of strike action, and apply for the full month of October.
Funding will rise to a maximum of $644 per child, to align with rates offered during the summer months.
Distance Learning
To ensure high school students can keep earning credits, the province is also lifting the 10-credit-per-year limit on distance education for Grades 10 to 12.
This will allow students to continue coursework online while remaining registered at their local school.
Home Education
Families who move their children into a home-education program during the strike will no longer be registered with their school, and may not be guaranteed a return to the same school once the program ends.
Alberta Education has also developed an online toolkit with resources for parents during the strike. Visit new.learnalberta.ca for more information.
Museum Admission
The province is also offering free admission for Albertans aged 18 and under at its heritage sites and museums for the duration of the labour action.
Nearby participating locations include the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin & the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
Parents and accompanying adults will still be required to pay admission, and children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parent Payment Program
Last week the province also announced that eligible parents & guardians will receive $30 per day, or $150 per week for each student during the strike.
Payments will be made starting on October 31, and will be retroactive to October 6.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
