May 8, 2018

NSTU says more teachers and specialists are needed to support inclusive education

NSTU President Liette Doucet says teachers and parents have been advocating for additional classroom supports for students with special needs for the past five years, and today’s announcement once again validates their concerns, and helps to provide a better teaching and learning environment.

“We still have a long way to go before our inclusive education model is properly supported, but today’s announcement is a needed first step,” says Doucet. “I again want to thank the Commission on Inclusive Education for their excellent work. The NSTU is hopeful all its recommendations will be completed over the next five years.”

The NSTU is, however, concerned that government is not creating an Institute of Inclusive Education, which is a key recommendation of the commission.

“As we’ve witnessed in recent years, this government is better at making commitments than delivering on them,” says Doucet. “The Institute would help bring transparency and accountability to this process, which would help rebuild trust between stakeholders. The Institute would also provide voice to teachers and other stakeholders in education. This is now even more important, since democratically elected school boards were eliminated through Bill 72.”

Doucet adds, “also, given that Nova Scotia already has a teacher shortage, the public has a right to know if these new positions are actually being filled by properly trained teachers and specialists.”