Schools asking NS parents to supervise students outside of school hours is a “big question” – Halifax | The Canadian News

Reductions in unallocated instructional time for teachers lead some schools to seek parents to volunteer to monitor students when they are not in class.

This includes duties such as monitoring lunch.

“Parents are happy to help out where they can, but this is a government institution that has paid people to do these jobs normally. Volunteering to go and supervise students is a big question, especially with high school students, ”said Stacey Rudderham, Nova Scotia Parents for Public Education representative.

Nova Scotia Teachers Union President Paul Wozney said teachers warned the public that eliminating unallocated instructional time would have these consequences: Teachers choose not to monitor students outside of their classrooms.

Teachers used unallocated instructional time to build relationships with students, Rudderham said.

“It gives them the opportunity to keep an eye on students who may be struggling.”

Wozney says reducing unassigned instructional time has proven disastrous.

There have been many schools where there has been an increase in violence, Wozney said, adding that there is an endless revolving door of strangers who ultimately say they are not staying to supervise students for little or no pay.

“It is not the kind of environment that children need,” he said.

The province says the change standardizes teaching time across the province in accordance with the provincial collective agreement with teachers.