The Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) passed a motion Tuesday afternoon that would review its enrolment and registration policies to ensure that children aren’t precluded from going to school because of their immigration status. Advocates have been calling on EPSB for some time to align its policies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which recognizes that every child has the right to education. “It asks us to look inwards at the policies within our own division, and make sure we understand what barriers exist, and what we may be able to address ourselves,” said school board trustee Sarah Doll at Tuesday’s meeting. Last year, the board of trustees wrote to the minister of education saying that no child is responsible for their immigration status and requested amendments to the Education Act to provide funding for these students. The push to review EPSB registration policies comes ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum which includes questions on the public services that immigrants are entitled to. “Our concern really is just to ensure that people get out to vote when it comes to the referendum questions,” said EPSB board chair Saadiq Sumar. “If the referendum questions do pass, then we’ll work with the government to figure out how that will impact our school division.” While some students may not be eligible for provincial funding, Alberta law does not automatically preclude school boards from enrolling them if they have the space and resources available. Passing 5-2, the motion allows the policy review commission to review EPSB’s registration policies and identify barriers or possible areas of misalignment with the UNCRC. The board says the review does not guarantee unfunded students will be enrolled.
