Achi news desk-
The president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union is drawing attention to the issue of school violence by sharing a photo of an injured teacher, amid accusations that teachers’ voices are being stifled by the provincial government.
NSTU president Ryan Lutes shared a photo on social media of a bruised wrist where an elementary school teacher was apparently bitten by a student.
“These are not isolated incidents. They’re not one-offs, and they’re happening more and more often and with more severity,” he told Global News.
“I have another email just today from a teacher who makes that bruise look like nothing. And so, once again, these are the types of situations that happen to our educators, but also the types of situations that our students see.”
Lutes is particularly concerned because the union has not been selected as witnesses for an upcoming standing committee on public accounts that will discuss the auditor general’s report on school violence.
In a written statement this week, Lutes indicated that the only witness will be the deputy minister of education, Elwin LeRoux, “despite concerns raised by members of the opposition parties on the committee.”
“Teachers deserve to have their voices (heard) in any meeting where school violence is discussed,” he said.
“And other groups too. Our educational assistants, they are represented by unions that were also blocked. I think that’s very disrespectful to the people who work very hard and do a good job in schools, trying to make sure kids get a great education.”
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Speaking at State House on Tuesday, Premier Tim Houston told reporters his government has a “pretty good relationship with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union” and has open communication.
“The violence in schools is something we are worried about. Every Nova Scotian would worry when students go to school. They have a right to feel safe and be safe,” Houston said.
Asked why his caucus supported only calling the deputy minister as a witness, Houston said his government would “continue to look for ways to work” with the union and would “keep that dialogue open.” “
“There will be a committee for other reasons I’m sure in the future, too. But that’s not the only way to communicate with the Nova Scotia Union of Teachers. There are much more direct ways and sometimes more efficient ways.”
But opposition leaders said it was difficult to discuss violence in schools without getting teachers to speak.
“I don’t see much value in talking about violence in our schools if teachers — the people who deal with the stuff on the front line — aren’t in the room and can share their views,” said the Leader Liberal Zach Churchill.
“And, you know, a deputy minister works for the government. A deputy minister is going to do what they are told (…) and we see every time a deputy comes in and is fully scripted with what they present to these communities.”
Churchill went on to claim that the government was “afraid of outside voices, especially the voices of teachers who deal with these things every day.”
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said she thinks the “Tories are committed to silencing any criticism.”
“We live in complex times, and there are many challenges facing this province, and we need to come together as a government to figure out how to solve them. The government does not want to have that conversation in public,” said Chender.
“Schools want to understand what’s going on. We can’t do that without teachers at the table. And we plan to continue to push the committee to include the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, and we hope they’re going to change their minds.”
Last week, a Halifax-area teenager pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in a double stabbing at Charles P. Allen High School in 2023. In the high-profile case, a principal and an administrative assistant were stabbed and seriously injured.
Lutes said on Thursday that he has not heard back from the province, but has sent a letter to the committee asking them to reconsider their decision.
He pointed to a recent poll of NSTU members, which found that 84 per cent of them had thought about leaving the profession, as an indication of how tired teachers are.
In that survey, 42 per cent considered quitting specifically because of school violence and more than half felt they did not receive enough support or respect from their employer.
Lutes said teachers don’t want to blame students for problems or struggles, but are calling for better resources or staffing.
“We don’t blame the children. They are not getting what they need, and that could mean (…) that appropriate consequences are not part of that,” he said.
“At the end of the day, students are not getting what they need from the system, and something needs to change because it has a big impact on the mental and physical health of our teachers and our children.”
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
