‘They’re not one-offs’: Injury to N.S. teacher shared to reflect school violence

The president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union is 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.

NSTU president, Ryan Lutes, shared a photo on social media of a bruised wrist where an elementary school teacher was apparently bitten by a student.

“These are not isolated incidents. They’re not one-offs, and they’re happening more and more frequently and with more severity,” he told Global News.

“I have another email just today from a teacher who makes that bruise look like nothing. And so, again, these are the kinds of situations that are happening to our educators, but also the kinds of situations that our students are seeing.”

How can <a href=«https://twitter.com/nsgov?ref_src=» https:>@nsgov

have real conversations about school violence without including @NSTeachers, and other employees?
 
Today I received yet another photo from a teacher who is a victim of violence – this time being bitten by a student. pic.twitter.com/xFiYUTTtto

— Ryan Lutes (@ryanlutes) <a href=«https://twitter.com/ryanlutes/status/1773046793577652319?ref_src=» https:>March 27, 2024

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.

In a written release this week, Lutes pointed out that the only witness will be the deputy minister of education, Elwin LeRoux, “in spite of concerns raised by the opposition members on the committee.”

“Teachers deserve to have their voices (heard) in any meeting where school violence is being discussed,” he said.

“And other groups as well.