Budget shows lack of commitment to addressing school violence, teacher shortage

Budget shows lack of commitment to addressing school violence, teacher shortage

(Halifax-Kjipuktuk, NS) The provincial budget released today was a missed opportunity to makeschools safer and ensure that students receive the support they need to reach their full potential, says NSTU President Peter Day.

While the 2025-26 Provincial budget includes additional funds to build new schools in Bedford and Dartmouth, the NSTU was anticipating a greater commitment to promoting healthier learning environments across the province, especially following the Auditor General’s critical report into school violence that was released last spring.

“The Province took some incremental steps prior to the election to address school violence and a new code of conduct is expected in the near future, but in terms of new investments, the government isn’t showing much resolve,” says Day. “The Auditor General was clear that a province-wide strategy is required to keep students and their teachers safe at school, but no new money was allocated in the budget towards that end.”

Day says that while he is encouraged the province is making investments to build new schools, funding for staff and human resources needs to keep pace with infrastructure.

“While additional buildings are needed to keep pace with population growth, buildings don’t teach students or create meaningful learning experiences for our kids, teachers do that,” says Day. “Nova Scotia’s teacher shortage is well established and unfortunately there isn’t much in thisbudget to help retain and attract more teachers to our province.”

Day is pleased with the expansion of the school lunch program. “It’s important for all students in all schools in the province to have access to lunch.”