The opposition education critic is asking questions about the policies and procedures that are in place for when a violent incident happens on school property.

Paul Dinn is speaking out in response to a 13-year-old child being charged following an incident at Villa Nova Junior High involving brass knuckles. A 27-year-old woman was subsequently charged with transferring a weapon as a result.

Dinn says he was also recently sent a video in which a student is cornered and slapped.

He states that it is fine for the minister to have stakeholders working on long-term solutions to violence in schools, but he has heard questions from parents about what happens immediately for students involved.
He says the victims are “ostracized” even further because they are the ones that have to eat lunch in the principal’s office or have recess in a separate room.

Dinn wonders what has been communicated to teachers about the steps that need to happen when there is a violent incident. From what he gathers, rules are applied differently across the province, which he thinks comes down to overcrowding and a lack of resources.