Violence in Nova Scotia schools was the focus of a Standing Committee on Public Accounts meeting.
Earlier this month, an Auditor General report revealed incidents are up 60 percent in schools since 2017.
The report called for a new code of conduct.
Nova Scotia Teachers Union president Ryan Lutes said there’s no time to waste.
“As one teacher put it, students are physically violent on a daily basis. TA’s, teachers and other students are getting physically hurt. There are times in the classroom students fear for their own safety,” said Lutes.
Chair of the Public School Administrators Association Scott Armstrong says he’s not surprised by the findings.
“There’s no question on the negative impact these incidents have on our students, staff and communities at large. We welcome the recommendations by the Auditor General, and commend the department for its commitment to implementing the recommendations provincewide,” said Armstrong.
He says a province-wide strategy with clear guidance and resources is strongly endorsed by the association.
Deputy education minister Elwin LeRoux says they’ve been making progress, and they understand the urgency.
He says the new code of conduct policy will be ready for review in the fall.
