The Alberta government knows how stressful teacher strikes can be for students and families. To help ease the uncertainty, they’re rolling out new support programs that can make a big difference!

First up, there’s a free education toolkit available for parents. This toolkit offers resources to support your child’s learning while schools are closed. Parents can also get financial assistance—up to $150 a week per student—to help cover childcare and educational needs.

For families needing childcare, the government is increasing funding rates for eligible children in grades 1 to 6 who are attending out-of-school care full time. This temporary bump comes into effect after five consecutive days of a strike and will last throughout October, reaching a maximum of $644!

If your child is in grades 10 to 12, there’s good news too! The government will lift the 10-credit limit for distance education, allowing them to earn more credits during the strike. They can also enroll in distance learning programs offered by independent schools during this time.

Additionally, parents might consider home education. By enrolling their child with an independent school, families can receive up to 50% of the home education grant, which amounts to a maximum of $450.50 per child.

For some fun and learning outside the home, Alberta’s provincial museums and heritage sites are offering free admission for all Albertans aged 18 and under throughout the strike. Locations include the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, among others.

While this is a challenging time, the goal is to support all families and ensure our kids continue learning. Visit participating museum websites for details on hours and additional offerings!