At a news conference Thursday morning Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said if job action is still happening during graduation season, the government will work with each individual school to make sure the ceremonies go ahead. He spoke to reporters alongside the Saskatchewan School Boards Association President Jamie Smith-Windsor.

Cockrill understands that teachers, principals and vice principals put a lot of time into graduation ceremonies, as do parents. There have already been some discussions with school divisions about making sure graduations aren’t cancelled.

The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation is asking for funding class size and complexity to be included in the contract to make sure it is guaranteed. Minister Cockrill says the government has offered an ‘accountability framework’ to teachers which ensures the money is spent at the local level and teachers will be able to negotiate that through each individual school division.  He wasn’t able to be specific about what the framework would look like, or its legality.

Because it’s Easter break for schools from Good Friday through next week, there won’t be any job action from teachers during that time. (with files from CKRM)