Nova Scotia proposes province-wide code of conduct for students

Nova Scotia is hoping to be the first in Canada to bring in a province-wide code of conduct for students who attend public schools.

The new code is included in a bill introduced in the Nova Scotia legislature on Friday.

Karen Casey, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, said the problem now is that there are too many differing standards for what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

"Currently, each school board — and in many cases, individual schools — create their own code of conduct," said Casey. "This has led to inconsistencies in implementation across the province."

The minister said a province-wide code will solve that problem.

"If there is an unacceptable behaviour in a school in Sydney and the same behaviour in the school in Yarmouth, it's very clear that there are consequences that are standard for both of those schools," she said.

The bill would also allow principals to suspend students for a longer period without school board consent.

The amendments to the Education Act would increase the time a principal may suspend a student without the board's approval from five to 10 days.

​The list of behaviours deemed ​unacceptable includes:

• Bullying and cyberbullying.
• ​Discriminatory behaviour.
• Illegal activity.
• Insubordination.
• Misuse of network or online resources.
• Physical violence.
• Racist behaviour.
• Repeated use of tobacco or e-cigarettes.
• Sexual assault.
• Sexual misconduct.
• Significant disruption to school operations.
• Use of or possession of alcohol, drug-related paraphernalia, weapons.
• Vandalism.
• Verbal abuse.

The new code of conduct is expected to come into force in September.