ATA a little too self-serving

Editor: 

The Alberta Teachers’ Association is offended by government support being given to private school claiming that public school are all we need.

The implication seems to be that students in special schools are a favoured elite, being preferred over “ordinary” students in public schools. What a narrow view.

Some parents prefer to transfer their children out of public schools due to dissatisfaction with the social ambience, some inappropriateness in the curriculum or for any other reason — that should be their right as parents. 

Some private schools specialize in unique fields of study, intensive training in some sport or art or tutoring of students with special educational needed. Government grants to a variety of schools help to ensure that these various opportunities are available not only to the rich.

I think the ATA’s complaints contribute little to children’s learning. They seem like self-serving unionism to me.

Charmaine Wood, Irvine, AB