{"id":3397,"date":"2025-12-03T09:20:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T15:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mbteach.org\/mtscms\/?p=3397"},"modified":"2025-12-05T08:49:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T14:49:18","slug":"manitoba-teachers-press-all-parties-for-action-on-public-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mbteach.org\/mtscms\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/manitoba-teachers-press-all-parties-for-action-on-public-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Manitoba Teachers Press All Parties for Action on Public Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Province-wide classroom challenges demand immediate investment and support<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Provincial Executive of the Manitoba Teachers\u2019 Society (MTS), the President of \u00c9ducatrices et \u00e9ducateurs francophones du Manitoba (\u00c9FM), and the Chair of the Council of School Leaders (COSL) will be gathering tomorrow at the Manitoba Legislature for an all-party lobby day focused on strengthening and protecting public education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is an all-party lobby day because public education affects every Manitoban \u2014 every family, every community, and the future of the province itself,\u201d said MTS President Lillian Klausen. \u201cTeachers see firsthand how policy decisions affect students. Our message is simple: strong public schools are the foundation of a strong province \u2014 but they must be funded, supported, and protected accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After nearly a decade of austerity, Manitoba public schools are still grappling with the long-term effects of chronic underfunding. At the same time, student needs have grown more complex, and the supports required to meet those needs have not kept pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers report that these pressures have accelerated in recent years, leading to larger classes with more complex needs, decreased access to specialized supports, and increasing stress on educators and school communities. These conditions are contributing to an unprecedented convergence of challenges \u2014 including student mental-health needs, school violence, and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese aren\u2019t isolated issues,\u201d Klausen added. \u201cThey are symptoms of a system stretched beyond capacity. When supports disappear, students feel it. Families feel it. Teachers feel it. And, ultimately, Manitoba feels it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Issues to be Presented to MLAs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Restore Education Funding<\/strong>
    Teachers urge the province to return to at least 65 per cent provincial funding, noting years of underfunding have strained classroom resources, supports, and services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Protect Teacher-Led Literacy<\/strong>
    MTS calls for literacy approaches designed by teachers, not vendor-driven screening tools, and for investments in reading specialists, smaller classes, and culturally responsive materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Address Rising School Violence<\/strong>
    Educators report increased violence tied to unmet mental-health and behavioural needs, MTS is calling for more clinical services, behaviour teams, EAs, and counsellors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Fix Class Size and Composition<\/strong>
    Teachers stress that overcrowded, high-needs classrooms limit learning for all students. MTS urges strategic class composition planning to ensure every student has a fair chance to succeed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Strengthen Recruitment and Retention<\/strong>
    Teacher shortages persist. MTS calls for a modernized certification system and improved working conditions \u2014 planning time, supports, safety \u2014 to keep educators in the profession.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Stand Against Hate<\/strong>
    Teachers urge MLAs to take a clear stance against hate targeting inclusive education and to support zero-tolerance policies, protections for educators, and support for book access and anti-censorship policies in libraries and classrooms.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    A Shared Responsibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The future of public education is not the responsibility of any one government or political party. It requires long-term commitment, stable investment, and collaboration across the political spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cPublic education belongs to everyone,\u201d Klausen said. \u201cWhen we strengthen our schools, we strengthen Manitoba. We are asking all parties \u2014 regardless of political affiliation \u2014 to work with us to build the strong, well-funded, inclusive public education system that Manitoba students deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Listen to MTS President Lillian Klausen\u2019s full interview with CJOB\u2019s Richard Cloutier:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n