Nova Scotia teachers concerned about cuts to teaching positions

HALIFAX, June 14, 2013 /CNW/ - For a third year in row teaching positions are being cut because of on-going underfunding of the public education system.

"Because of the loss of $65 million to public school funding and subsequent budget cuts to school boards, we are continuing to see a loss of teaching positions," says NSTU president Shelley Morse. "The loss of positions has an impact on student learning, and this concerns teachers. We have been hearing about the affects of these cuts from our members for the past three years. It's not sustainable to gut public schools then lean on parents and teachers to stretch and make up the difference." 

To date both the Chignecto-Central and South Shore Regional School boards have announced cuts to teaching positions of 31 and 17 respectively.

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union, the Nova Scotia Federation of Home and Schools Association (NSFHSA) and la fédération des parents acadiens de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FPANE) have launched an advocacy campaign to encourage the public to stand up for education and make sustainable public school funding a top issue in the upcoming provincial election through www.StandForEducation.ca. 

"The Stand for Education campaign, focuses support for our public school system, and shows the realities of the lack of education funding," says NSTU president Shelley Morse. "Teachers have been stretching to cover the funding gaps of the last two years and we need an adequately funded system to meet all of our students needs." 

"Parents have also been stretching to cover funding gaps," says Vanda Dow, NSFHSA president. "Parent volunteers raise thousands of dollars each year to support programs in Nova Scotia's schools, and provide resources for classrooms."

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union represents more than 10,000 public school teachers, Community College faculty and professional support staff in Nova Scotia, and teachers who work for the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Since 1895, it has worked to improve the quality of public education for children and youth in Nova Scotia, while promoting and advancing the teaching profession.

SOURCE: Nova Scotia Teachers Union

More info: Angela Murray, NSTU Public Relations Coordinator
(Mobile) 902-497-0194, [email protected], @NSTeachersUnion.