At PSBAA, we believe a strong public school system is the foundation for a thriving society.
Our focus is on ensuring that Alberta’s Public School System serves as a cornerstone for equitable education, equipping every student with the tools to excel and build a promising future.
Public schools are more than just places of learning; they provide a foundation to support the growth and well-being of our communities and society as a whole. From providing equitable access to education and fostering cultural appreciation to driving economic development and personal enrichment, public schools play a critical role in shaping the future of Alberta. Some of the ways in which our public school system contributes to the betterment of our students and society include but are not limited to:
1. Equitable Access to Education: Public Schools provide accessible education to all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, religion, or ability. This ensures that every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed.
2. Cultural Appreciation: Public schools bring together students from diverse backgrounds and communities, fostering social cohesion, understanding, and tolerance. By promoting interaction and collaboration among students of different cultures, public schools contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious society.
Our Public Schools welcome every Alberta student – and in some cases, we welcome the world! Case in point, one of our schools has students from more than 90 different countries, proudly displaying the national flag from each in the gymnasium.
3. Community Engagement: Public schools play a vital role in preparing students to be informed, engaged, and responsible citizens. They teach democratic values and civic responsibility, empowering students to participate actively in their communities and contribute to society's well-being.
4. Economic Development: A well-educated workforce is essential for economic growth and prosperity. Public schools equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to succeed in the workforce, driving innovation, productivity, and economic development.
5. Personal Enrichment: Public Schools offer a wide range of different experiences, perspectives, and opportunities, for students to explore arts, literature, history, sports and culture, enriching their lives and fostering creativity, expression, and appreciation for multiplicity. Enriched educational opportunities promote a sense of identity and belonging, contributing to individual and societal well-being.
Public Schools across Alberta have supported young people in reaching their potential and achieving their life goals. Alberta Public School students have graduated to become successful doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, trades people, professional athletes, musicians…the makers, the builders, the protectors, and the nurturers of an admired society and a strong economy.
In doing so, Public Schools have not only shaped individual success stories but have also laid the foundation for a diversified workforce that is essential for driving Alberta's economy. As our province prioritizes economic diversification, it’s clear that Public Schools are a critical building block. While Alberta continues to grapple with a labour shortage that threatens economic growth, Public Schools are part of the solution, helping to ensure Alberta students are ready, willing, and inspired to continue their education and/or move forward in their career journeys.
As we enter the 2024/2025 school year, our Public School Boards, Division Leaders, School Administrators and teachers are working to meet the challenges of unprecedented growth. We are dedicated to working with the provincial government, educators, parents, and key stakeholders across the education ecosystem to create and maintain a robust foundation for public schools, one that empowers every student to reach their full potential, nurturing their talents, fostering their ambitions, and equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
We look forward to welcoming your children, grand-children, family and friends to our classrooms and we wish everyone a positive and productive school year.
Dennis MacNeil, President, Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA)
PSBAA represents twenty-seven Alberta Public School Boards which account for over 800 schools and over 250,000 students across the province. www.public-schools.ab.ca