Let’s look at school supplies next

I always regarded school fees as another tax and a hardship for many. Including my own family sometimes. I really hope that Bill 1 will pass, getting rid of a lot of the school fees was in my opinion, long overdue.

Now that we’re on the topic of families with schoolchildren facing hardship. Why can’t we do away with school supplies altogether or at least simplify the list and make the process more affordable and spread out over the school year?

I’m pretty sure that pragmatic parents are taking this approach anyway. After a few years, my wife and I, especially when we learned that some school supplies were collected and, “shared,” by staff, that the school lists were to be treated as guidelines, not essentials. No more scrambling around the stores in late summer loading up carts with stuff our children did not need straightway or that we simply couldn’t afford. I’m afraid groceries and utilities won out over the likes of silly things such as duo tangs, which always sold out anyway.

Next, a note to Alberta Education from a frustrated parent. If a topic requires a specifically approved calculator to either do the course or sit the exam then, I think, Alberta Education has to supply one to the child, period. Expecting parents to fork out $40 to $100 for a calculator that after exams is likely to less useful than a chocolate fireguard to student or parent is just plain unreasonable. Furthermore, no child should be disadvantaged through poverty.