By Canadian Press

NOT BACKING OFF

Education minister will not reverse decision on layoffs amid COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 1, 2020 | 6:16 AM

Alberta’s education minister, in her first public comments since laying off more than 20,000 people in an email on the weekend, resisted Opposition calls to reverse her decision.

Adriana LaGrange also declined to say why she ordered the layoffs despite promising two weeks earlier to keep full education funding in place for the rest of the school year — but she noted the COVID-19 crisis is a fluid situation.

“We are in unprecedented times, and both governments and businesses are making difficult decisions,” LaGrange told the legislature in question period Tuesday.

RELATED: Critics say students will suffer from education support staff layoffs

“This pandemic has changed how our education system functions and, like the private sector, we are still adapting to this new reality. This is a temporary measure that will be reversed when classes resume.”

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LaGrange closed schools on March 15 due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, but at that time announced funding would stay whole.

On Saturday afternoon, as schools geared up to begin virtual at-home programming for thousands of students, she directed school boards to lay off more than 20,000 support staff, including substitute teachers, school bus drivers and educational assistants who work with special-needs students.

LaGrange said the resources were not needed in the switch to virtual schooling and the estimated $128 million saved could be used to fight COVID-19.

Contracts for educational assistants must be concluded by the end of April and reduced use of substitute teachers is to begin Wednesday.

United Conservative Premier Jason Kenney, speaking at a pipeline announcement in Calgary, said the province can’t afford to pay bus drivers while buses are parked and janitors while schools are closed. They are in the same situation as laid off workers in other industries, he said.

“I don’t … think it’s reasonable to ask people in the private sector who have lost their jobs because of the public health orders to pay for salaries of folks in the public sector who’ve lost their jobs.

“We’re all in this together.”

NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley said educational assistants are even more critical now to help students with learning challenges adapt to online schooling.

“They’re working every day to provide routine and support and to ensure that these kids don’t fall behind,” said Notley.

“Parents know they (LaGrange and the government) are wrong, and they feel betrayed.”

(Dean Bennett)