'It’s a waste of time': Low turnout for the final day of school in Nova Scotia
As Claire Mahaney-Lion dropped her son off at school Thursday morning, she questioned the reasons behind scheduling a school day that would last fewer than two hours.
“I think it’s a waste of time,” said Mahaney-Lion. “I think school should have just ended on Tuesday.”
Some parents disagreed.
“I think it’s nice just to give them an extra bit of time, to say goodbye,” said one mother as she dropped her daughter off at school.
Emily MacNeill-Liot saw the issue in two ways.
“It does give the kids an opportunity to say goodbye to their peers,” said MacNeill-Liot. "But it is really hard for working parents to find an opportunity to actually take the kids to school and pick them up an hour later.”
In many cases, school buses had more drivers than students.
"We have three on all of the seven buses,” said a bus driver as he pulled out of the Cole Harbour High School Parking lot.
According to Nova Scotia Teachers Union president Paul Wozney, many parents, teachers and even students were all asking the same questions.
“Should this be a day of school?" said Wozney. "Is there a better use for this time, than this?”
“It is traditionally a shorter day,” said Nova Scotia Education Minister Becky Druhan in a statement. “With so many changes over the past few years due to COVID, it is great to return a sense of routine and allow students to enjoy this special day.”
Parents who have already received report cards via email may view attending the final day of school as a waste of time, but according to Wozney, some families do not have access to the internet.
“There are lots of places around the HRM where broadband internet is not accessible or affordable to people,” said Wozney.
Which meant attending school in-person for some was the fastest receive report cards.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.