Saskatchewan school staff stretched thin, survey reveals
Education workers across the province report performing medical procedures without proper training and facing mounting workload pressure.
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Education support workers across Saskatchewan are performing medical care procedures every day without proper training or resources, according to a new survey from the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers' Steering Committee, which represents over 7,000 K-12 education staff.
The findings paint a picture of growing pressure across schools. Workers report increased responsibilities, limited support, and uncertainty around policies and liability protections.
Multiple respondents described lifting and transferring students physically despite having never received any formal training on how to safely perform this duty — a significant gap in workplace safety and worker protection.
Why it matters to Alberta: Saskatchewan's K-12 challenges often foreshadow pressures building in neighbouring Alberta. Education worker shortages, inadequate training budgets, and expanding non-teaching duties have been consistent pain points for Edmonton and Calgary school boards too. The survey signals a broader prairie-wide squeeze on school support staff that shows no signs of easing.