Large class sizes continue to challenge Alberta schools as teachers call for change

After Alberta moved to end a three-week teachers’ strike and ordered educators back to work, parents and teachers alike say one of the biggest issues — oversized classrooms — remains unresolved.

Calgary parent Jacqueline Renfrow says it’s a “bittersweet” return to school, as her daughters continue to struggle in classes of nearly 30 students. Despite teachers’ dedication, she says they’re stretched too thin to offer the individualized help many children need.

Across Alberta, and even in other provinces like Ontario and Saskatchewan, educators are raising similar concerns. Experts say modern classrooms are far more complex than they once were — often including students with diverse learning needs, behavioral challenges, disabilities, or language barriers.

Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, noted how difficult it is to give proper attention to more than 40 students, while Ontario’s teachers’ union says class size caps will be a top priority in future negotiations.

Education experts add that while smaller class sizes can boost learning, particularly in early grades, they aren’t the only solution. Cathy Montreuil, a former deputy minister of education, argues schools should focus on equipping teachers with new strategies and better collaboration with support staff.

Without a shift in how classrooms operate, she warns, simply adding more staff won’t fix the deeper challenges. Instead, she urges rethinking education to meet the evolving needs of today’s students — both academically and socially.