The Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) is raising alarm bells over dozens of teaching positions set to be cut.
It was last week when Education Minister Brendan Maguire announced 150 positions roles were to go, 47 of them are from attrition and vacancies.
However, in a video posted to social media, Thursday, President of the teacher’s union Peter Day said more than 80 of them are teachers who work directly with students.
“Several of these positions involve teachers who work directly with students, including intervention teachers and specialist teachers who support children with diverse and complex needs,” said Day.
He said students need small classrooms, not bigger, overcrowded learning environments as well as more support and resources.
“Decisions made today could have lasting impacts for students, families and the future of the public education in this province,” added Day.
“Our students have only one chance to receive an education. We cannot afford to be mistaken.”
Day also referred to concerns over the funding cuts by Halifax Council in the Supplementary Education Fund.
On Wednesday, Council renewed a five-year agreement to help support music and fine arts but will phase out librarians and social workers until the deal expires in 2031.
The fund gives a boost to what the education department spends on those roles.
Day said it means that social workers will be assigned new positions.
“These professionals play an essential role in meeting the physical, emotional and safety needs of students, both inside and outside of our schools,” said Day.
Meantime, the education department told our newsroom in a statement, they are glad Council gave a few years to adapt to the new situation.
“It is no secret that many governments are currently grappling with financial pressures, including HRM. I feel council chose a mindful path that gives HRCE, CSAP and schools time to adapt to incremental change in some services, while prioritizing enhanced music and fine arts programs,” wrote spokesperson Krista Higdon in the statement.
And the department says HRCE is already considering how to start paying for librarians and social workers in Halifax without help from the city.
There are 79 provincially funded social workers in the province, and 28 are in the Halifax area. That represents a third of the province’s total school social workers.
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