As CUPE 3766 members return to schools for the start of a new school year, they are once again being asked to do more with less.
Over the past five years, student enrolment in Regina Public Schools has grown from 24,344 students in 2020-21 to 26,874 students in 2025-26, an increase of 2,530 students. During that same period, the number of educational assistants (EAs) increased by only 3.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, leaving support staff struggling to keep up with growing classroom needs.
This school year, 14 temporary education support workers have been left without contracts.
“The ongoing uncertainty is making it difficult to retain experienced workers, as many leave for more safe and secure employment,” said Jackie Christianson, CUPE 3766 president.
“When student enrolment continues to grow but staffing doesn’t keep pace, students don’t get the support they need, and workers are stretched beyond their limits,” said Christianson. “The result is larger workloads, increased burnout and too many students going without the supports they need to succeed.”
Christianson said years of inadequate staffing have changed the role of educational assistants in Regina schools. As student needs become more complex and support staffing levels remain stagnant, EAs are increasingly required to respond to behavioural, regulation, and personal care needs while trying to support student learning.
“EAs are spending more of their time supporting students with regulation and personal care needs, leaving less time for the academic support students also need to succeed in the classroom,” said Christianson. “Without enough EAs, some students are not able to access the level of support they need to fully participate in school throughout the day. That impacts their learning, their wellbeing and, in some cases, their ability to attend school full-time.”
CUPE 3766 is calling for increased funding for education support staff to address staffing shortages, reduce precarious employment and ensure every student has access to the support they need at school.