Province updates school code of conduct amid rise in school violence

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The provincial government released its updated school code of conduct at a time when violence in schools has become all too common. 

The government says the code focuses on ensuring schools are safe for staff and students, with stronger definitions of unacceptable behaviour and a requirement to support people affected or harmed by violence.

“This update to the code of conduct ensures all members of school communities — administrators, teachers, families and students — understand expectations and know there are consequences for actions that disrupt learning,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “We consulted extensively with school staff and other experts to arrive at a tool that gives clear, consistent direction and has the power to keep distractions and dangerous behaviours out of our schools.”

The updated code’s definitions of “unacceptable behaviour” now include inappropriate language, interruption of the learning environment, physical aggression, threatening behaviour and unapproved mobile device use. Those come in addition to a long list of behaviours already deemed unacceptable, including physical violence and racist behaviour.

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Nova Scotia notes the guide also includes clear directions for school staff.

“The guide includes a process for aligning responses and consequences to the severity of behaviours, ensuring responses consider the age and developmental stage of students, as well as intent,” reads a government media release. “Consequences can range from loss of privileges to long-term suspensions.”

Violence in schools across the province

The updated code of conduct follows a scathing report last year from Nova Scotia’s Auditor General, in which Kim Adair blasted the government for failing to ensure training and prevention measures were keeping pace with rising violence in schools.

The June 2024 report found violence in places of education had increased by 60 per cent since 2017 — a figure Adair told reporters could be an underestimate because of a perceived lack of support in the system for teachers.

A survey of more than 5,000 school staff completed as part of the AG’s report found 70 per cent felt they didn’t receive enough training to deal with violence in school. Some 65 per cent of respondents said they saw violence in schools weekly, while 31 per cent said they saw some form of violence every day.

Following that report, then-Education Minister Becky Druhan agreed with Adair’s recommendations and committed to a review of the school code of conduct.