Provincial association partners urge public to help Stop the Cuts
Release date: October 14, 2009
Responding to anticipated cuts of $340 million or more to the 2010 education budget, the provincial associations representing Alberta parents, teachers and school boards officially launched a six-week media campaign aimed at protecting funding for public education.
The Stop the Cuts campaign uses various advertising media to invite Albertans to visit a website where they can efficiently contact MLAs, the minister of education and the premier to voice their support for investments in education.
The Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA), Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) want to raise awareness among Albertans of the potential education funding cuts and their impact on students and schools.
“In tough financial times, the one investment that guarantees dividends for all Albertans is public education,” said ASBA President Heather Welwood. “We are raising our voices, but to make a real difference we need citizens to join us. Support your schools and Alberta’s children.”
“There is no doubt that cuts of this magnitude will have a significant impact on classrooms,” said ATA President Carol Henderson. “Small class sizes, early literacy programs, initiatives to increase high school completion rates and supports for special needs are all in jeopardy.”
“Working together to protect the interests of students demonstrates the shared concern for the future of public education in this province,” said ASCA President Marilyn Sheptycki. “Short term solutions will impact the classrooms of today and jeopardize long term benefits for Alberta.”This campaign will continue through to November 22, covering the period when MLAs are returning to the legislature and budget decisions are being made within government. Albertans need to ensure their voices are heard by visiting www.stopthecuts.ca and sending a message to their MLAs.
For more information contact:
Marilyn Sheptycki, ASCA President at 1.403.807.2738
Heather Welwood, ASBA President at 1.780.812.1895 or 1.780.451.7122
Carol Henderson, ATA President at 1.780.447.9427
