Alberta’s government is forming a new action team to confront rising levels of aggression and behavioural challenges in classrooms across the province, pledging to make schools safer and better equipped to support students with diverse learning needs.Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the creation of the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team on Monday, saying the initiative responds directly to growing concerns from teachers and parents about student and staff safety.“We have heard loud and clear from teachers and parents that we need to do something about aggression in classrooms, and that is exactly what we are doing,” said Nicolaides. “Every student and staff member deserves to feel safe, supported and respected at school.”.The 20-member team will include representatives from the Alberta Teachers’ Association, school boards in Edmonton and Calgary, and education system leaders. The team will work closely with frontline staff, including teachers, education support workers, school resource officers and family advocacy groups. Once finalized, the membership list will be published online.The team is expected to submit a report to Alberta Education and Childcare by fall 2025, outlining both short- and long-term recommendations. .Some measures could begin as early as the 2025-26 school year, with the group potentially remaining active to advise on implementation.Marilyn Dennis, president of the Alberta School Boards Association, welcomed the move and said local boards look forward to shaping solutions that reflect on-the-ground realities. “ASBA appreciates government’s commitment to address classroom complexities,” she said..Mike McMann, president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents, said the growing complexity of classrooms affects learning, safety and student well-being.“By working collaboratively with government, educators and community partners, we can help ensure classrooms remain safe, supportive spaces where every student has the opportunity to thrive,” he said.A December 2023 survey from the Alberta Teachers’ Association found more than 50% of teachers had experienced aggression in the first three months of the school year. .Most said they lacked the training and confidence to manage such behaviour and were unhappy with how incidents were handled.
