Thousands of students across Canada will have their international school trips cancelled or changed this year as education authorities express concerns over global conflicts, political instability and growing uncertainty surrounding international travel.
Among those affected is 16-year-old Edmonton student Zoe Cogger, who had planned to travel with classmates to the National High School Dance Festival in Pittsburgh and to Spokane, Washington, for the annual Bloomsday Run. Both trips have now been cancelled.
Edmonton Public Schools has suspended all international excursions for the upcoming school year. The decision affects planned trips to destinations including Thailand, France, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica and Portugal.
Cogger said she was disappointed after learning that the trips would no longer take place, as she had expected them to be an important part of her final year of high school.
School boards across Canada are reviewing international travel plans because of a range of concerns, including military conflicts, civil unrest, fuel shortages and public health issues.
Edmonton Public Schools Superintendent Ron Thompson told parents that students on a recent trip had encountered civil unrest, although the board did not reveal where the incident occurred.
Thompson said that continuing international conflicts, reported fuel supply problems and health concerns have created additional uncertainty and risks for students travelling abroad.
He acknowledged that cancelling the excursions was a difficult decision and said the board plans to review the policy before the 2027–28 school year.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE