NSTU responds to Minister's Action Plan for public education

HALIFAX, Jan. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - NSTU president Shelley Morse says that components of the action plan outlined by Karen Casey, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will be a positive step in improving the learning environment for Nova Scotia's public school students.

"Streamlining the curriculum and the removal of standardized tests will give teachers more time to meet the needs of all students," says NSTU president Shelley Morse. "We are also pleased to see that a provincial code of conduct will help our members deal with the violence and negative behaviours in our classrooms and schools, and we hope that this will mean less disruption to teaching and learning."

The NSTU filed an official response to the 30 recommendations in the Report of the Minister's Panel on Education, which was released on October 30. "We were in agreement on some of the recommendations brought forward through the panel report," continues Morse. "We want to work with the Department to ensure that the voice of active teachers is included in the changes coming forward that impact current practice and policy in public education."

There are a number of components of the action plan, such as changes to the school year and professional development that would be addressed through the collective bargaining process. "Past practice has seen both parties coming to the bargaining table in good faith. I don't see that changing."

"We will continue to look at teacher evaluation with the Department through the joint committee we are currently part of," adds Morse. "Teacher performance and aligning teacher assignments are some of the areas we have already been working on over the last couple of years."

Morse says that many challenges identified by teachers are beginning to be addressed. We will meet with NSTU's provincial executive later next week to take a thorough look at the Nova Scotia's Action Plan for Education.

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union represents more than 10,000 public school teachers, Community College faculty and professional support staff and teachers who work for the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority. Since 1895, it has worked to improve the quality of public education in Nova Scotia.

SOURCE Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Angela Murray, NSTU Public Relations Coordinator, Cell [phone], Direct [phone], twitter@NSTeachersUnion