Government should focus on real problems
When I was a kid and I had a cut or scrape, my dad used to put this red medicine on the wound to make it heal faster. I don’t know what it was called, nor do I think they even make it anymore — I mean it was the 70s after all. My grandmother had a similar bottle which I believe she’d had since the early 50s. Regardless, the ointment often hurt more than the actual cut or scrape. I remember pleading with my dad not to use it. In order to get me to cooperate, he would often use various distractions to draw my attention away from the impending earth-shattering sting.
This last week and a half reminds me of those moments. The Premier announced that the government intends to introduce legislation around gender identity that will infringe on the rights of our most vulnerable students and their families. The outrage has been swift, widespread and entirely warranted. Organization after organization, including the Alberta Teachers’ Association, has come out against this policy direction with a common criticism about the harm it will do and the lack of consultation.
One resounding criticism and question I have heard repeatedly is, what exactly is the problem the government is trying to solve? I have yet to hear a substantial response from the Premier, nor have I heard an exhaustive list of organizations she consulted while developing the policy.
Another thing I hear repeatedly is how these policies are a distraction from other issues that are happening right now. The ATA’s latest pulse survey tells the tale of what our members are facing in our classrooms — increasing class size and classroom complexities compounded with a decrease in supports and resources for students. The government is failing to address those concerns and the calls for adequate funding for inclusion and growth.
Though it is extremely vital that we stand up for the rights of our most vulnerable students, we cannot let the government distract us once again from the issues that are also plaguing our classrooms across the province. ❚
I welcome your comments. Contact me at jason.schilling@ata.ab.ca.