Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt is using the last few days in the Spring Session to assure Airdrie parents that she has their back when it comes to education.

Pitt believes that the NDP has not honoured a parent’s right to choose what school or education system they send their child to and many in Airdrie have told her that.

“There’s a lot of fears out there. There have been some moves made by this government in various different capacities that have made parents especially in the non-traditional school settings, really start to worry about their rights and freedoms being attacked by this NDP government.”

Pitt sent out a statement recently that said the NDP has made many moves that undermine this right to education including a matter that made national headlines.

“The NDP Government did attempt to shut down the largest homeschooling board in this province, Trinity Schools. Of course, the Official Opposition, the homeschool community and just common sense Albertans and eventually a judge were able to overturn this decision and bring back that choice for so many families in Airdrie and right across this province.”

While Pitt and other UCP MLAs are fighting for the parent’s right in educational choice, some critics see this as an attack on student’s rights. The UCP has been under fire over their opposition to Bill 24, which would establish a GSA in all publicly funded schools.

Pitt said that this response to educational choice is not about the Bill 24 debate but believes parents should know what their children are doing at school.

“It all comes down to respect. Parents have a right to know what’s going on in their child’s life because you know what, most parents are good parents. Parents love their kids and they want to do what’s best for them. They need to be empowered to do so. When our families are stronger in our communities, we have better communities, things just work a whole lot better.”

In an email to Discover Airdrie, Education Minister David Eggen provided this response to the comments from Pitt.

“I’m not sure who MLA Pitt thinks she’s fighting. Her party stands for outing children who wish to form gay-straight alliances – that’s not a choice I will ever support. Our government has provided four good news budgets in a row that include increased funding for all Alberta school programs, and we are committed to ensuring all of Alberta’s students have a high-quality education. We also support the key role parents play in their children’s education. That includes supporting parents ability to choose the school they feel will best ensure their child’s success. We are making life better for families in Alberta by building hundreds of new schools, reducing school fees and hiring teachers and support staff.”

 

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