Pandemic, cellphones may have contributed to rise in N.S. school violence: officials
Global News
One official said the data shows that many violent incidents involve elementary-aged children who missed out on socializing in person with peers during the pandemic.
Nova Scotia officials say the COVID-19 pandemic, students’ use of cellphones and school crowding may have contributed to the spike in school violence.
Elwin LeRoux, deputy minister of the Department of Education, said today data shows that many violent incidents in schools involve elementary-aged children who missed out on socializing in person with peers during the pandemic.
LeRoux says violent outbursts among young students decreases as they are taught by teachers “to use their voice, not their hands” when dealing with conflict or frustration.
The deputy minister made the comments after a legislative committee meeting called in response to last week’s report by the auditor general, who found a sharp rise in school violence, with training and prevention measures failing to keep pace.
Kim Adair’s report found 31 per cent of teachers reported seeing or experiencing daily violence at school, and that staff are left feeling unprepared to deal with the concerning trend.
Steve Gallagher, with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, told reporters today the school population boom and the time youth spend on their phones on social media may be contributing to increased violence.
“The cellphone is a conduit to conflict in schools,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2024.
Toronto Police say five people have been injured and four of them have been arrested after a crash in Scarborough involving a stolen vehicle.
Parents in the Halifax area are voicing concerns as children have been finding drug paraphernalia in their neighbourhoods. In one case, a child was pricked by a discarded needle.
Voters in Nova Scotia are heading to the polls today as the province holds an election to determine if Tim Houston and the Progressive Conservatives will remain in power.
On Monday, Trump vowed to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming from Canada and Mexico on his first day back in office.
'A cherished member of the theatre community, his presence brought joy, heart and depth to every role, and his artistic contributions — and big hugs — will be deeply missed'
An Ontario man was restrained with duct tape last week after allegedly trying to open the door of a plane mid-flight, called himself the “captain" and injuring a flight attendant.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday called on provinces to 'step up' and get on board with the Liberals' plan to grant a tax holiday on some items for two months.
As authorities investigate the deaths of six tourists in Laos, here's what Canadians need to know about recognizing and preventing methanol poisoning while travelling.
Danielle Smith said the Alberta government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S.
'She thinks she's playing Robin Hood, and in actuality, she's putting these fishermen in a worse-off situation than they currently are,' one licence-holder said.
The Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie in Ontario say they expect to turn away 650 women and children this year for service. It's a problem seen across Canada.