Public school boards association in Alberta indeed supports access to separate education for minority faiths

On behalf of the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta, I would like to address some misinformation in the Sept. 19 article headlined “Catholic board election attracts packed ballot.”

One of the people quoted in the article stated that “the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta questions the legitimacy of the constitutional right of Catholics to have their own system.” This is simply not true.

The Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta supports the right of minority faith ratepayers, to access separate education. In fact, our association’s vision for one education system, includes, respects and supports the Constitutional and Charter rights of Albertans.

In terms of charter and home schooling we also support choice, within the public education system, through the provision of alternative programs. We feel very strongly that these publicly funded education systems can be housed under one single system which allows for equal and equitable access to the educational opportunities of one’s choice and maximizes our educational tax dollars. We believe in putting the money in the classrooms where it will benefit our children the most. Our children, who will lead us into the future, need to be prepared for the challenges and opportunities they will face in our growing province.

The article also stated that “the Theodore case in Saskatchewan challenges the constitutionality of publicly-funded Catholic schools.” The case in Saskatchewan does not challenge the constitutionality, it clarifies the constitutional provisions. Justice Lahy stated that it belies reason that the separate system would now accept non-denominational students and expect public funding for the very students it needed to be separated from. The Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta agrees with this clarification and supports it.

As leaders within the communities that we serve, we must model for our children the values that we wish them to embrace – integrity, service to others, collaboration and compassion. Our children are watching and counting on us.

Cathy Hogg Edmonton

(The writer is second vice president, Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta)