Achi news desk-
As teachers move to increase activity at work, some parents and caregivers are feeling the pressure and financial pinch from the lack of lunchtime supervision.
Payali Dey said she is constantly stressed whenever she has to stop her work day to watch her daughter during the lunch hour.
“I’m really struggling, and I’m just worried if this continues, how I’m going to manage everything,” she said.
Some school divisions charge parents and caregivers around $100 per student for lunchtime supervision each school year, as a way to offset budgetary concerns.
With recent work action by the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), students no longer have supervision during the lunch hour, leaving parents wondering why they are still paying for the service.
“We need compensation because we only paid $100 in the beginning for lunch supervision, but they don’t do lunch supervision,” Day said.
The STF declined CTV News’ request for comment on this specific matter.
CTV News also reached out to public and Catholic school divisions in Saskatoon and Regina.
“Once a collective bargaining agreement between the STF and the government has been negotiated and the sanctions come to an end, the division will review the missed days and put plans in place to compensate families who paid the fee,” Saskatoon Greater Catholic Schools said in a statement.
“Regina Public Schools is aware that some parents have requested fee refunds,” Regina Public Schools said in a statement.
“We are aware and will reply to the parents as soon as there is a plan, as well as when we better understand how many days without supervision at noon there will be.”
Some parents and caregivers believe this is a “small price” compared to the bigger picture.
“I support the teachers and I support the cause, so if there’s a slight inconvenience this week, next week, whatever, I think it’s worth it if we get the result we want,” parent Kurt Dahl said.
“We wholeheartedly support the teachers and what they are trying to achieve,” said therapist Christina Wegel.
Both the district and STF are optimistic that a solution may be on the horizon.
