Rural schools get short end of the stick?

Dear Editor,

Did you know that my rural child generates significantly more money (about 25% more) from the provincial government for GHSD than a child attending a school in Strathmore, and yet next year my child will not receive the same quality of education that a child in Strathmore will receive? Why? Because, next year GHSD is removing one teacher from his school. That doesn’t seem like much but it is 25% of the teachers. This also means that my child’s school will have no choice but to put three grades in one classroom with one teacher. Apparently it is educationally sound to put my 4 year-old and 7 year-old in the same classroom, with 25 other children (You’re not supposed to have more than 17).

Is it the Provincial Government, who has deemed our school a ‘Small School By Necessity’ and provides additional funding to support it (enough for two teachers)? Is it the Trustees, who govern the division, are mandated to provide a quality basic education to all public children, and claim that they want to educate rural children in rural schools? Or is it the administration, who operates the purse strings and doesn’t value rural schools, that is making this decision? 

As a parent, I too, am now faced with making a decision. Do I wait and hope that they give us another teacher? Do I register my Kindergarten student in Strathmore, the most convenient school for me to drive to two days a week, and what about my older child should I drive him too?

Would my 9 month-old be able to happily drive 160 km a day two or five times/week? Do I put my kindergarten child in the same classroom as his brother in Grade 2 and with a teacher that is forced to teach three grades at once? Do I keep them where they are and hope that their education isn’t affected too severely?

Will I notice right away or will I not know of the effect until many years down the road when it may be too late? Why do I always have to fight for my child’s right to a basic education? I am not the only parent and my school isn’t the only school this is happening too. My child’s school is in good shape, in fact, one of the best in the division, my child has good teachers, who in my opinion, are the best in the division, the provincial government thinks that my rural child should receive a quality education and has provided additional money for that, so WHY does GHSD believe that my child is not worth it?

Are they doing this so that parents will move their rural children to urban schools and then the closure process is easier for them? Do I jeopardize my children’s future because GHSD refuses to put their money where their mouth is and educate rural students in rural schools? This is my child’s education, it is happening now.

Shelly Neal,
Rockyford