Frustration mounts over continued delays to Nova Scotia’s updated student code of conduct
The much-anticipated updated version of Nova Scotia’s student code of conduct has once again been delayed, much to the frustration of the unions representing teachers and school support staff. Education Minister Brendan Maguire had initially promised a new code of conduct for public schools by March, following a review ordered by his predecessor, Becky Druhan, in October 2023 due to concerns about increasing violence in schools.
As of mid-April, there is still no clear timeline on when the new code will be released. Krista Higdon, a spokesperson for the Education Department, mentioned that work is being done to incorporate feedback into the updated code of conduct, but no specific release date has been provided. In the meantime, the current version of the code remains in place to assist administrators and school staff in identifying and responding to unacceptable behaviors.
After a report by Auditor General Kim Adair in June 2024 highlighted that school staff were ill-equipped to handle rising rates of violent incidents, Druhan had stated that a draft of the updated code of conduct would be available for public consultation by September 2024. However, the department missed that deadline, but eventually made a working draft accessible to families and school communities in late October for online feedback.
Peter Day, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, expressed concern about the ongoing issue of violence in schools, emphasizing that teachers are feeling overwhelmed and fearful for their safety and that of their students. Nelson Scott, president of CUPE Local 5050 and chair of the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions, echoed these sentiments, stating that the level of violence in schools is still alarming and that his members eagerly await the updated code of conduct for clearer guidelines on acceptable behavior.
One of the criticisms from the auditor general was the lack of a clear definition of violence in schools within the current code of conduct, which instead uses the term “unacceptable behaviors.” Adair recommended that the updated code should provide more detailed guidance for educators on managing such behaviors effectively.
Amy Hunt, chair of the Public School Administrators Association of Nova Scotia, emphasized the importance of getting the code of conduct right, even if it takes more time. She highlighted the inclusive education policy and strategies to prevent violent behavior as additional measures to ensure school safety.
Day also stressed the need for more staff and resources, in addition to the 47 specialized staff hired by the department in October, to allow teachers more time to build positive relationships with students. While feedback has been collected from various stakeholders on the updated policy, including the NSTU, CUPE, and the administrators’ association, there is still uncertainty about when the final code of conduct will be released and implemented in schools.
Despite the delays, stakeholders remain committed to ensuring that the updated student code of conduct is comprehensive and effective in addressing the pressing issue of violence in Nova Scotia’s schools.
