RELATED: We check in with Nova Scotia Teachers Union president Ryan Lutes to talk more about his call for a system-wide approach to tackling violence in schools. – Oct 25, 2023is highlighting the issue of violence in schools by sharing a photo of a teacher who was injured, amid accusations teachers’ voices are being stifled by the provincial government.
Lutes is particularly concerned because the union has not been selected as witnesses for an upcoming standing committee on public accounts that will discuss the auditor general’s report about violence in schools. When asked why his caucus supported only calling the deputy minister as a witness, Houston said his government will “continue to look for ways to work” with the union and “keep that dialogue open.”“There will be a committee for other reasons I’m sure in the future, too. But that’s not the only way to communicate with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. There’s much more direct ways and sometimes more efficient ways.
“And, you know, a deputy minister works for the government. A deputy minister is going to do what they’re told and we see that every single time a deputy comes in and is fully scripted with what they present to these communities.”