The Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) will review its enrolment and registration policies to identify barriers that could prevent children from attending school because of their immigration status. Trustees approved the motion 5-2 on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of an Oct. 19 referendum that includes questions about public services immigrants are entitled to receive.

The motion authorizes the board’s policy review commission to examine registration rules and identify barriers or possible areas of misalignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which recognizes every child’s right to education. The board said the review does not guarantee that students without provincial funding will be enrolled.

Trustee Sarah Doll said at Tuesday’s meeting: “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,” Advocates have urged EPSB to bring its policies into line with the UNCRC.

Last year, trustees wrote to the education minister, saying no child is responsible for their immigration status and asking for changes to the Education Act to fund those students. Some students may not qualify for provincial funding, but Alberta law does not automatically prevent school boards from enrolling them when space and resources are available.

Board chair Saadiq Sumar said the referendum prompted the timing of the review. “Our concern really is just to ensure that people get out to vote when it comes to the referendum questions,” Sumar said. “If the referendum questions do pass, then we’ll work with the government to figure out how that will impact our school division.”

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.