The True Post (Web News) Thousands of students in the Canadian province of Alberta participated in a province-wide walkout protest march against the government’s decision.
High school students in various cities, including Calgary, walked out of their classrooms to show solidarity with their teachers. The protest came after the end of a three-week teachers’ strike and the Alberta government’s controversial “Back to School Act (Bill 2),” which used a “notwithstanding clause” to end the strike and force teachers back into class.
The protest was organized by a group called Alberta Students for Teachers, which has seen students walk out at dozens of schools in Calgary and other cities. Grade 12 student Aria Musher, who attends William Eberhart High School, said the protest is an opportunity for students to have their voices heard. “Politicians say they are representing students, but in reality, most of us disagree with what they are saying.”
According to Mishra, the students want the government to impose class caps and make the January 2026 diploma exams optional. An online petition has so far garnered more than 27,000 signatures.
Students from various schools in Calgary protested outside their schools, while students from Western Canada and St. Mary’s High Schools demonstrated in front of City Hall in the city’s downtown area. “This law is a violation of constitutional rights. We have to stand up for our freedom, otherwise it will set a dangerous precedent that young people will accept any unfair decision,” said Vaishnavi Venkateswaran, another student. “I am a Grade 12 student and I am going to be a voter in the future. It is important for me to do what I think is right. Many students feel the same way.”
In addition to Calgary, students also took part in protests in cities across southern Alberta. About 120 students from Canmore Collegiate High School in Canmore walked out of class, while about 50 students from Ethbridge Collegiate Institute participated in the protest. “This protest is an opportunity for us to show how important teachers’ rights are to us. It may not have an immediate impact on Premier Daniel Smith, but our message will definitely reach the public.”
Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said in a statement that “students have the right to peacefully protest, but it should not affect their education. Being absent from class not only disrupts their own learning process, but also affects others. The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) said they do not officially support the protest.” Both institutions clarified that this is a normal teaching day and that the absence of students who participate in the walkout will be considered “unexcused absence.” According to the Catholic Board statement: “Students participating in the protest will not be under the supervision of teachers or administrators, and their absence will not be considered excused.”
The protest comes as the province’s education system has been embroiled in a dispute over teacher salaries, class sizes and examination policies. According to analysts, the mass student protest is a new pressure on the government and a sign that the youth are ready to raise their own voices.
