Students in Regina stage walkout in support of teachers

Some students in Regina began the new semester with a walkout in support of the province’s teachers.

On Friday afternoon, about 100 students gathered outside the Legislative Building and staged a rally in solidarity with the teachers, who are embroiled in a contract dispute with the Saskatchewan government.

“I really care about my education and we are the future of the society we’re in,” said Tyler Bzdel, a Grade 11 student at Michael A. Riffel Catholic High School.

“Our teachers need to be paid and they deserve everything because they’re the ones that are giving us this education so we can be strong in the future.”

Classroom sizes are one of the main points of emphasis stressed by the Saskatchewan Teachers ‘ Federation during its now-stalled talks with the provincial government – something many students emphasized during the rally.

“Some of my classes are really big. Like, there’s my physical science class: We have kids that have to sit on the outsides where the laboratory is because there’s not enough room for chairs,” Bzdel said.

“There’s like up to 32 (or) 34 kids in each class and it’s hard to get into certain classes because there’s so many kids. You have to squeeze people in.”

Bzdel said this leaves kids with less one-on-one time with their teachers. She said she’s had to seek outside help with her studies at times.

Scarlett Suttill said she felt the same way.

“The class sizes are insane,” she said.

Suttill added that all of her classes this semester have more than 30 students.

“I truly feel like I haven’t been able to fully understand or fully connect with my classroom or my teachers in years,” Suttill said.

Suttill said she wants the government to go back to the bargaining table with the STF.

“I would really like to see the government just talking with the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation because they know what they’re talking about and it’s been an issue for a long time and I would like to see some action on the government’s part,” Suttill said.

While the STF’s rotating strikes bring uncertainty, Suttill still finds it important to show support for teachers.

“I really like school and I don’t want (the teachers) to keep striking and missing days,” she said. “Education is super-important, but if this is the only way, then that’s the only way.”

Cadan Manz from Riffel said students can’t learn if teachers aren’t able to support all of their students.

“With how many people are in the classrooms now, it’s just kind of unbearable because you’ll be waiting five minutes for help when you shouldn’t have to wait for help. You should be able to get it right away. But there’s just so many people,” he said.

Manz said he’s interested in becoming a teacher.

“That’s one reason why I’m out here,” he said. “If I want to become a teacher, I want to be able to know that I can continue with it and make it a career and not have to get other side jobs over summer break for example.”

Manz also said it can lead to poor outcomes.

In an emailed statement to CJME, the Ministry of Education reiterated its stance on salaries (it’s offering a seven per cent raise over three years) and class complexity (with pilot projects to address disruptive behaviour in classrooms and to fund teaching innovations).

“Outside of the collective bargaining process, the Government of Saskatchewan has said we are actively working to address concerns around class size and complexity and we are doing exactly what we said we would with a $53.1-million investment towards enrolment and complexity, a teacher-led innovation and support fund, and specialized support classroom pilot projects,” the email read.