March 8, 2018

Passage of Bill 72 a step backwards for public education 

NSTU President Liette Doucet says the passage of Bill 72 marks the beginning of a more fractured education system in Nova Scotia. She adds that the separation of principals from teachers will only bring division to schools.

“It has been apparent over the past week, that Bill 72 is poorly designed and the government has not taken the time to consider the consequences of its application,” says Doucet. “The fact that language to guarantee inclusive education was ‘accidentally’ eliminated is telling. Right now, parents, teachers and students are justified in their concerns that our schools are about be thrown into the same turmoil we are experiencing in our hospitals.”

She says, if not for several last minute changes, including a back down on the creation of a College of Educators, Bill 72 could have been worse. Nevertheless, the legislation is still a major step backwards for students and teachers.

“The collegial model that has been the foundation of our education system for decades is badly damaged by Bill 72 and morale amongst teachers is at an all-time low,” says Doucet. “The toxic environment created by this government will not be easy to overcome.”

She adds, “long after Stephen McNeil stops being Premier, the teachers and administrators who are directly impacted by Bill 72 will still be cleaning up the mess it creates—this is something they are struggling with today.”