Classes back in session before long weekend again: Why?

It has been a decade since legislation first required the school year in Saskatchewan to start after the Labour Day long weekend, and it has been eight years since that legislation was introduced to be a bit more flexible.

In 2011, after winning the provincial election that fall, Brad Wall’s government passed legislation to mandate that school years start after the Labour Day long weekend.

School divisions could still decide their own schedules when it comes to holidays and teachers could still start work ahead of the long weekend.

At the time, there was some backlash from school boards that believed they weren’t properly consulted. The legislation also required the school year to end by June 30, so some school boards argued they wouldn’t be able to get in enough teaching days.

In 2014, government took that same legislation to the drawing board and changed it to allow school to start before the long weekend if the Tuesday after would fall on Sept. 5 or later.

The government at the time called it fine-tuning things.

Since 2012-13, the first school year that would have been affected, only five of the ensuing 10 years began after the long weekend.

Minister of Education Dustin Duncan said in a statement boards of education take many factors into consideration when developing their calendars, which includes meeting the required minimum 950 hours of instructional time during the school year.

“The Ministry of Education plays a role in supporting boards to adhere to the legislative requirements, outlined in the Act and the regulations,” he stated.

“The ministry respects each board of education’s authority and believes boards are in the best position to assess the needs of their division and make responsive decisions.”

Premier Scott Moe said ahead of the 2022 school year that he still thinks it’s useful legislation.

“Where possible, I think the legislation is well-intended. Now, I think in true Saskatchewan form, what you’re seeing is when that is challenging – more than challenging – for school boards, we sit down and have a conversation and work through that,” he said.

That’s why some years start before the long weekend, according to Moe.

“But where it can, it should start after Labour Day and that’s why that legislation’s in place,” said Moe.

In 2023 the Tuesday after the long weekend falls on Sept. 5, and in 2024 it falls on Sept. 3