Education system changes need more time

Nova Scotia is facing very tumultuous times since the Glaze report was unveiled last month.

Over the years, the educational system has seen many of these reports come and go. Looking back at my experiences with the system, I can’t recall a report that was accepted so quickly (the very next day) and without a more indepth look at the various recommendations.

This report has caused stress and uncertainty in every corner of our province. Newspapers and social media sites are busy debating the pros and cons. We live in a democracy so everyone has a right to express their views.

From my vantage point, the area where I am seeing the most stress is the classroom setting. These learning environments of today are certainly not the same as they were when I was teaching. The learning climate has changed so much.

Heavy workloads, poverty issues, children with complex behavioural issues and a wide range of learning challenges in the same classroom are all factors that are creating a stressful workplace.

When a teacher walks into a classroom, that educator must be mentally ready to deal with all these issues to create a safe and nurturing learning space for all our children.

Now we are asking these teachers to be in “top-notch” form with the uncertainty of the Glaze report creating havoc to their mental well-being. That is just what the speedy implementation of the Glaze report is doing to our school system.

Everyone is stressed because we don’t know what the outcome is going to look like. The situation would have been a lot more calm if the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has taken the time to work on an implementation plan. Then all the educational partners could sit down and digest the plan. Everyone has a stake in the education of our children - teachers, administrators, school board members, central office staff, School Advisory Council members, students and parents.

Dr. Avis Glaze unveiled the plan one day and the very next day it was set in stone. Not much time overnight to draw up the plan for implementation.

This rush will change the education system in Nova Scotia for decades to come so why can’t we take the time to make it right.

Not too much to ask!

Yvonne Kennedy Homeville