Alberta teachers, students head back to school after three-week strike

Government used notwithstanding clause to force teachers back.

Numerous demonstrations have been organized in support of the 50,000 Alberta teachers who have been on strike since October 6. PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / TRAVIS MCEWAN

RCI, October 29, 2025 10:00 AM

WATCH |Alberta uses notwithstanding clause to order teachers back to work. CBC

The Latest

About 750,000 students, 51,000 teachers head back to the classroom today.
School boards notified parents Tuesday that students would return today.
Teachers were on strike since Oct. 6; lockout notice was served the same day.
Individual teachers face penalties of $500 per day if they defy the order.
Head of the teachers’ union says its members will abide by the province’s legislation.

Students, teachers start arriving

Liam Newbigging

Hi all, Liam Newbigging here. I’m one of the reporters who’s been covering the teachers’ strike over the past few weeks.

It’s currently a dark and cold morning outside St. Oscar Romero High School in west Edmonton where I’m seeing students and staff begin to trickle in.

More updates coming soon.

Student impacts

Nicholas Frew

Some students may have savoured the extended break, but the strike caused stress for others — particularly high school students.

Some student-athletes, for example, missed out on opportunities to get in front of the eyes of scouts, which could affect their opportunities to compete at the next level, let alone earning scholarships.

Diploma exams scheduled for Grade 12 students in November became optional, although there are no changes to the January and June exams.

Smith has cited irreparable harm to students as a driver for back-to-work legislation.

Task force to look at complexity in the classroom

Trevor Howlett

Does class size impact student academic performance?

WATCH | Does class size impact student academic performance? CBC

A key issue in the Alberta teachers’ strike is class size and complexity. While the province rejects capping class sizes, an education expert weighs in on how teacher-student ratios impact academic success.

One of the top issues for teachers is how to address student complexity in the classroom.

Last summer, the province appointed an action team to look at aggression and complexity of students in Alberta schools. The final report is expected next month.

After that, a task force examining class size and complexity in the classroom will start implementing solutions and gather more data on the issue from school boards. The task force aims to allow the government to get feedback from teachers, educational assistants, parents, superintendents and school trustees.

Schilling said Tuesday he experts teachers will be providing input on the task force as partners rather than props.

Source Radio Canada