Let me pre-face this blog by saying it might look a bit different. I’ve asked questions across various platforms I’m involved in including my Facebook page here, and in a group I’ve helped created titled “Parents Against Violence in NS Schools”. While people did answer my questions, they were able to use the anonymous features to hide themselves. Which in this situation, I have allowed to keep them that way. While knowing my stance on anonymous postings, based on the group I created with nearly 45,000 members and growing, Ask Nova Scotia: Anything Goes (Mostly), I can understand the need for folks wanting to keep their actual names out for fears that perhaps the bully’s parent may see, school officials might see, and the results are their child continuing to be bullied, in a lot of cases worse than before.
Firstly, let me state, though the consensus seems to be the bullying policy across nova scotia schools seems to be lacking in multiple levels of education, there is actually a bullying policy that should be followed.
This particular version was created in April 2025 with implementation supposed to be happening in September of the same year. Only nothing is ever implemented.
While using the platforms listed above. My question was this: Id like to know based on their policy if your child who has been bullied, had any support in place, etc. Basically if anything was done or even with attempts for interventions (Going to principal, Emailing MLAs, etc) if anything was done.
One anonymous user had stated their child was lured in the bathroom. And while the school authorities agreed this was a one sided fight, the child beaten up still recieved a suspension for their participation (which again, staff acknowledged this was one sided against the aggressor). The anonymous user stated the vice principal said they their child should have “dropped to the ground and waited” instead of trying to free themselves.
BraveRaccoon4323 (anonymous user) had stated their child was bullied so badly they completely pulled out of public schools after nothing was done.
Cirillaneedscheeses stated their child was bullied by one student for entire school year. Punched in the side of the head on the bus. Punched hard enough to cause issues. And never any actual incident report given to them regarding these issues. When reaching out to support or staff within the school they kept being redirected to teacher with the cycle continuing.
Ironically based on the above incidents, it was noticed in the policy that “all unacceptable behaviours must be accurately recorded in the student information system”.
Look no further to see that a freedom of information request was given stating school violence was risen based on previous years. Notable situations include bullying growing from 2020-2021 (covid) of 60 incidents, to a staggering 146 in 2021-2022. You can look up school stats that have already been requested here.
What is another alarming case was that while those numbers were for provincially, and seem to be completely under valued, perhaps due to lack of filing the proper reports, a vast majority of these cases were in the HRCE (Halifax Regional Center for Education) education area. While it could argue that these students within HRCE have sometimes double and triple the amount of students as other provincial school boards, it is a growing issue that isn’t being addressed by any person in power.
Two years ago the Fraser Insitute has reported that spending for education in Nova Scotia is way up also. Though problems still were persistent. Including violence in schools being up, The cost per student growing over $5,000 each, and public school teachers getting an over 10% raise as well.
However, what’s more alarming is that this teacher out of named Matthew Donahue has now been charged with various criminal acts against children.The RCMP posted their release here, Through various Facebook comments in places around the internet, it was said he was a teacher for child with special needs. Some whom may be non-verbal also. And they are very concerned there are other victims in the case also. Community members alarmed with the amount of charges which would suggest that this not being the first time situation. Matthew Donahue of Bible Hill had also ran previously in the Progressive Conservative race. And while there is no debating the level of seriousness this case has brought to the vetting process of staggering members. I assure you there are likely parents whose children have been bullied to similar levels, and have reached out to school officials to be met with a gas lit experience where their children who have been bullied are subjected tk continued situations where the bullies are freely able to keep assaulting, and mentally disturbing their children with minimal consquences to the bullies themselves.
These stories aren’t unique though. The public school system has a long way to go in terms of addressing their bullying, and violence in schools. The best way to ensure this is happening is by talking about it, holding elected officials accountable for the state of the schools our taxes are funding, out children are attending, and their safety being of the upmost importance. You can find the current education minister here for Brendan Maguires contact information, I also suggest adding your MLA also in to the conversation.
