When people think of politics there are varied reactions.
While some find politics fascinating and intriguing, many others view politics as:
- Controversial and divisive
- Too overwhelming to try understand
- Full of scheming and deception
- Negative and discouraging
Yet whether we like politics or not, we cannot escape the effects of politics on our lives.
In fact, almost every aspect of our daily lives is governed by some sort of political decision:
- Regulations on agricultural practices and products allowed for import/export impact the food we eat and items we are able to buy
- Traffic laws govern how we travel from place to place
- Criminal laws define whether you are considered a law-abiding citizen or put in jail
- Education laws which contribute to shaping the minds, hearts and values of our next generation
Most of us take these laws, rules and regulations for granted, seeing them as fairly solid and reliable.
We tend to assume that the same laws and rules which govern us today will still be there tomorrow.
But that is simply not the case.
In reality, laws, rules and regulations are not solid at all.
With just a stroke of a pen or the edict of a leader – even a leader who has been democratically elected – laws, rules and regulations can change significantly.
And as a result, the way we experience the world on a daily basis can also change very quickly, for either better or worse.
Over the past several years we’ve witnessed significant changes when it comes to the education laws of this province.
For example, what happened when the education minister didn’t have legal authority over certain policies of independent schools in Alberta?
His party simply created a new law that gave themselves the authority they didn’t have before - and they did so quite easily because their party has a majority of the 87 votes in the Legislature.
As a result, we now have dozens of schools who are threatened with losing funding next year if they do not comply with the imposition of “Safe and Caring” policies - policies that would force them to undermine their core identities and reasons for existence. Many of these schools are now involved in a court challenge against the Alberta government.
Recent changes to law also mean that sexual content can now be provided to K-12 children through clubs and activities in Alberta schools and parents are forbidden to know the material being provided and the adults who are accessing their children via these clubs and activities.
When it comes specifically to our province, here are a few specific questions for you:
- Did you know that the laws that govern our province in Alberta come down to the votes of just 87 people?
- How closely and carefully are we selecting those 87 people provincially to ensure they are committed to making decisions that are balanced and wise?
- Once those 87 people are chosen, how closely are we monitoring the decisions that they make?
The 87 people who pass the laws that govern our province do not magically materialize.
They are elected by us - the citizens of Alberta - to become Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Parents for Choice in Education has been working hard behind-the-scenes the last few weeks to prepare for the provincial election, anticipated to be called anytime now.
Sign up on the PCE homepage if you have not already done so to ensure that you receive further information about how you can be equipped and involved.
Consider forwarding this link to family and friends, encouraging them to do the same.
We have been entrusted with a gift of tremendous value – the opportunity to participate in a democracy and enjoy its associated rights and freedoms.
Let’s be wise stewards of those gifts, recognizing that it is the seeds we sow today – whether those of complacency, apathy and inaction or those of active engagement - that will grow the future our children will reap.
ALL-PARTY FORUM ON PUBLIC EDUCATION
On Saturday March 2nd at 9 AM, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) is hosting and live-streaming an all-party forum on public education.
According to the ATA:
“On March 2, representatives of Alberta’s major political parties will sit down with teachers to discuss the future of public education in advance of a provincial general election. The ATA’s All-party Forum on Public Education will feature representatives from the NDP, UCP, Alberta Party and Liberal Party who will outline their plans for public education.”
The ATA has stated this forum will be available on their website homepage for public viewing and you can also access it from their event announcement page to watch live or watch later.
IN THE NEWS
Included below are a number of recently published articles, related to our advocacy toward an excellent, quality-oriented, choice-driven education system which recognizes parental authority.
Student performance declines despite spending hikes in Alberta
Troy Media, 2019.02.03
"Clearly, the increase in spending on Alberta education has not improved academic performance. That should concern all parents, policy-makers and taxpayers... The numbers don’t lie: something must be done about declining student performance in Alberta. Policy-makers in Edmonton and in school districts around the province can learn from other jurisdictions and what’s been successful in Alberta in the past." [READ MORE]
David Eggen: An open letter to Alberta parents, teachers and students
Written by Alberta’s Education Minister, David Eggen, 2019.02.21
“We must address real concerns with our math curriculum, work to improve literacy and give our students important life skills, like teaching them how to balance a household budget. We need to make it clear that climate change is real and foster discussion about the future of our planet. We need to better recognize reconciliation. We need to update archaic thinking around LGBTQ rights.” [READ MORE]
Jason Kenney pledges education revamp if UCP wins power in Alberta
Financial Post, 2019.02.16
"[Kenney] reiterated earlier promises to expand school choice for parents, and stressed that the current K-12 curriculum review being undertaken by Premer Rachel Notley’s government needs to stick to basics." [READ MORE]
FROM THE PCE ARCHIVES...
What is home education? How is it structured here in Alberta? This PCE article helps answer common questions we often receive around this time of year as parents begin considering education options for the next school year. READ MORE: Understanding home education in Alberta: What is it and how is it structured?