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NSTU’s 101st Annual Council wraps up in Halifax

  • May 01, 2022
  • Published by NSTU1

May 1st, 2022

NSTU’s 101st Annual Council wraps up in Halifax

(Halifax-Kjipuktuk, NS) The 101st Annual Council of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union wrapped up this morning after three days of collaboration and debate about how to strengthen quality public education across the province.

During the opening night’s proceedings, Premier Tim Houston and Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Becky Druhan addressed delegates. Houston is the first Premier to attend annual council since Rodney MacDonald. NSTU President Paul Wozney says the current government’s willingness to communicate and collaborate with teachers and their union is a welcome change.

“I’m under no obligation to hand out compliments to politicians, but it’s promising that Premier Houston took the time to attend our Council and deliver a positive message,” says Wozney. “Much work needs to be done to address the challenges facing our pu

blic education system, and needed reform won’t happen unless government and teachers are able to work together on solutions.”

Delegates also had the opportunity to hear from the seven candidates running to become the next NSTU President. There is a two-term limit for NSTU Presidents, and Paul Wozney’s final term ends on July 31st, 2022. The Presidential election is being held on May 25th and is by universal suffrage.

“We are fortunate to have a dynamic group of individuals running for President, who all possess strong ideas about how to move our union forward and strengthen and enhance our profession,” says Wozney. “I’m very optimistic about the future of the NSTU.”

The annual meeting wrapped up today in Halifax. From April 29th to May 1st, almost 250 voting delegates debated approximately 60 resolutions. Approved resolutions focused on a range of issues most notably the need for improved teaching and learning conditions in schools, and the creation of a plan to address the current teacher shortage.

“The lack of teachers and the strain this is having on our system was definitely top of mind for delegates this weekend,” says Wozney. “Government and the education entities need a plan to address the shortfall, and they need it now.”