Rules around flags flown at Alberta schools changing in January

The government of Alberta is changing the rules, governing which flags can be displayed at schools. The changes take effect in January, and the province says they ensure learning environments remain focused on student learning and success. We wanted to ensure we do that to keep our classrooms free from any potentially divisive social and or political causes. Come January 4th, school boards are required to fly the Alberta and Canada flags outside school buildings. Certain government and Indigenous flags can also be flown on specific days and celebrations. Classrooms will be able to put up temporary indoor displays directly related to an approved course. But for any other flags, school boards must submit written requests to the Ministry of Education. I encourage any of our school boards, if they do have requests, to get them in by November 10th so that we can give them a firm answer before the regulation comes into force. This is just a series, a continuation of the theme of exclusion, and it's really eroding the idea of belonging, diversity, and inclusion. This public education advocate believes the policy is driven mostly by political ideology to restrict pride and transgender flags. It's actually becoming quite scary to think that more and more of these policies are coming out and limiting expression and making people feel like they're not seen and celebrated. The Alberta Teachers Association says this change was not requested by schools and also raises serious questions about reconciliation. If we're going to truly put an authentic effort into addressing the truth and reconciliation calls to action, then we need to do that and allow schools and teachers to have that ability and that flexibility to bring these flags into their schools. In a statement, the College of Alberta school superintendents expressed support for the changes, saying the education system is strengthened when regulations are implemented that ensure schools remain places where students are treated with dignity and a sense of belonging. The regulations apply to more than just flags, also including physical items like stickers, printouts and digital reproductions on school property. But they do not apply to individuals or personal items. Nicole Healy, CBC News, Edmonton.