Parents, students, and teachers in Alberta are preparing for a return to school on Wednesday following the end of a three-week strike by educators. The strike concluded after the provincial government passed Bill 2, known as the Back to School Act, early Tuesday morning. This legislation mandates the return of teachers to their classrooms after a breakdown in contract negotiations led to the strike, which began on October 6.

The strike involved over 51,000 teachers and affected approximately 750,000 students across public, Catholic, and francophone schools. School boards across the province have been communicating with parents about the planned reopening. The Edmonton Catholic School District confirmed that classes will resume, and the Edmonton Public School Board echoed this message, stating it is focused on returning to normal operations as quickly as possible.

In Calgary, both the public and Catholic school boards, along with Rocky View Schools, have also announced that schools will reopen on Wednesday. The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) has advised families that while school buses will operate, delays may occur, and parents should not leave children unattended at bus stops.

As teachers return, the CBE noted that their primary focus will be on teaching and learning. However, it cautioned that extracurricular activities, including athletics, performances, and field trips, may be delayed, rescheduled, or canceled as schools work to reestablish routines. The Edmonton Catholic Schools District has issued similar warnings regarding potential delays in extracurricular events.

The Calgary Catholic School District anticipates a gradual return to activities, including sports and arts programs, but emphasized that teachers will need time to rebuild relationships with students and help them transition back to classroom routines.

Due to the disruptions caused by the strike, many school districts have made the November 2025 diploma exams optional. Students will still have the option to take the exams, but those who choose not to will have their final grades based solely on their teacher-awarded marks. The Edmonton Public Schools District reassured students that opting out of the October and November exams will not impact their post-secondary applications or acceptance.

Additionally, many school boards have shared a letter from Premier Danielle Smith, who defended the government's decision to enact the back-to-work legislation and outlined steps being taken to address ongoing issues within the education system. The Alberta Teachers’ Association is scheduled to hold a news conference at 1:30 PM today to discuss the situation further.