Saskatchewan Teachers Walkout, Students Rally in Support

     Saskatchewan Teachers are fed up, and have decided to walk off of the job. For one day, May 5, teachers took a stand against low salary's and poor treatment and held a 'Study Day' to negotiate strategy's to try and make everyone happy.

        While every Saskatchewan teacher meets, divided by School Districts, students have a day off, which they will most likely have to make up for at the end of the school year. In Regina, there are picketers outside the Legislative Building, demanding the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and Brad Wall to take action and help teachers.

     Most students find this day a time to enjoy the good weather, or play a popular video game, but some do not enjoy it and are in full support of their teachers. All across the province students are standing up, and saying 'We Care'. In North Battleford, a group of students from both of the city's high schools came together and held a rally to show support.

     Organizing this in a matter of hours, they attracted a fair amount of buzz, with local newspaper and radio picking up on the story, as well as over 20 students who took part.

Local press interviewing a couple of event organizers

 

 Marching through town, the group attracted a lot of attention with flashy signs and megaphones, gaining a lot of honks and waves from passing vehicles.

Some highlights from the march towards the meeting

As the students neared the building where teachers were discussing options, there was a lot of anxiety as to how the adults would react towards this display of support. Many did not know that they were actually entering the building, and only anticipated a couple quick chants outside. Once we neared the building, we saw a friendly face waving and holding the door open. As I was scrambling to set my pack somewhere safe, I could hear the teachers roaring as the first student set foot in the main hall.

Here is complete footage of the students walk through the 'Study Day' building:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_eu_PLN3Es

 The energy in the building was that of appreciation, student to teacher and visa-versa.

I think, if anything at all was accomplished at the meeting, it was teachers renewed faith in students. The students of North Battleford showed that they pay attention, they care, and they will not be silent. We care because they care. Good luck teachers, you certainly are the cats meow.




-Colton Hutchinson

hutchie696@yahoo.com

An excited Eddie Keller charges forward with his sign. ''Teachers Are Beautiful''.

The whole rally crew minutes before the march.

North Battleford students always look both ways.

Larissa Chipak showing the true spirit of the event.