500 Phone Calls to MLA Offices Demand Better for Students

SASKATOON – On December 1, MLA constituency offices were inundated with hundreds of phone calls from constituents voicing their concerns about public education. In just one day, more than 500 calls were placed to MLA offices through STF’s Tell Them Tuesday campaign.

“MLAs need to hear from constituents about what’s really happening in schools. They need to go back to their caucus meetings and tell their fellow MLAs that parents, students and teachers have had enough,” says STF President Samantha Becotte. “It is so important that government knows just how many people are advocating for government to prioritize public education. It’s important for students and teachers to see that, too. They aren’t in this fight alone.”

In a recent province-wide poll conducted for the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation by Praxis Analytics, 60.4 percent of people stated that they feel the Saskatchewan Party government is heading in the wrong direction. That growing sentiment has been on display in the number of people advocating for government to take responsibility for the crisis they’ve created in publicly funded schools.

Since February 2023, over 13,600 emails have been sent to MLAs, the Minister of Education and Premier Scott Moe. People are calling for the provincial government to address the crises of underfunding, overcrowding and insufficient resources in Saskatchewan schools. Between the Rally for Public Education at the Legislative Building last spring and four mini rallies that took place this fall, over 7,700 people have joined demonstrations to make their voices heard on these issues.

Becotte questions why the substantial outcry from the public for better public education funding still isn’t enough for this government to act, despite claiming to make policy decisions based on feedback from parents.

“Premier Moe has stated repeatedly that his government makes policy decisions based on feedback. 7,700 people at rallies for public education, 13,600 emails and more than 500 phone calls in one day aren’t enough for them to take the issues seriously and act?” asked Becotte. “It’s time this government quit ignoring the grave concerns their constituents have for their children’s education and future.”

STF invites teachers, parents and anyone concerned about the future of students’ education to join thousands of others expressing their concerns on www.tellthemtuesday.com.