Some students in Cape Breton walked out of classes today, in support of Nova Scotia teachers.
Many were joined by their parents, who aren’t happy with large class sizes, demanding the government return to the bargaining table.
Students at North Sydney’s Memorial High School were among those who took part in the walk out today, showing support for their teachers, while voicing concerns with Premier Stephen McNeil.
“I’m sorry, but a teacher cannot teach 42 students at once. All they want is class caps,” says Grade 12 student Julia Snook.
Snook claims her education has suffered because teachers aren’t able to spend a great deal of time with individual students.
“We need better education for ourselves. They’re not doing it for them, they’re doing it for us, to better our education,” Snook continued.
At nearby T.L. Sullivan Junior High School, some parents joined their children outside the school, holding signs with messages of support.
“The classroom conditions are horrible, the classrooms are overcrowded, there’s not enough funding, kids are falling through the cracks and it’s not fair. The government needs to step up and support the teachers,” says parent Lisa Bond.
A total of 17 schools are slated to close in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality by 2020.
There are many more demonstrations like this one planned for the Halifax area Friday. Education Minister Karen Casey says she doesn’t agree with parents pulling their kids out of school.
“Very disappointing, students should be in their class and teachers should be in their class with them,” said Casey.
Work-to-rule is set to begin Monday, December 5, meaning extracurricular activities will be halted, which many students aren’t happy about.
“The Christmas concert will be cancelled and my brother and I don’t like it,” says one junior high student.
No matter the outcome, students and parents in North Sydney want teachers to know, they have their support.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
