A new and rigid interpretation of the rules around adult supervision of extracurricular activities in the K-12 system is preventing some events from going ahead, according to the PC Opposition.
However, the people who manage the school system and send out the directives insist nothing has changed.
Existing policy states that a teacher is “expected” to be present at extracurricular activities such as sports and music.
But PC MHA and Education critic Paul Din says the feedback he’s receiving suggests teachers or alternates are now “required” to be there.
Dinn notes that’s two different things.
“Required is a demand and you have to do it, and that’s what’s causing a concern,” says Dinn.
He says teachers who sought clarification got a response, in bold type, that supervision is required for all activities.
Terry Hall, assistant deputy minister of Education, says the policy has existed for years, insisting nothing in it has changed. But he says NL Schools, now part of the department, will work with teachers to ensure students have the same access to such activities as they did before.
“Perhaps an alternate can be there to supervise practice, and we have supported them over the years to work within the policy. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the school, it’s an extension of the school day that we provide those extracurriculars and we will continue to do that,” he said.
Dinn says he already has seen many activities go by the wayside because of the situation.
“One school emailed that they normally have 35 teams but are down to 20-something,” he said. “Some schools have delayed or cancelled tryouts, some are re-thinking whether to hold a tournament or put off a school play, so it affects everyone.”