Nova Scotia’s Teachers Union says there’s not enough transparency in the appointment of education officials.
Last week the province announced 12 people will join the 15 member Provincial Advisory Council on Education.
NSTU President Paul Wozney says the secrecy around the selection of council members is a serious concern for Nova Scotians.
“There are questions, as they were raised by the personnel committee of the house, as to, are they in a conflict of interest position in terms of relationships to political parties or things like that.”
Wozney says the work of the Provincial Advisory Council on Education should be open and transparent.
And that should have started with how they were chosen for their positions.
“The only thing that we know is that 133 people put their names forward. How they were vetted, the criteria used to determine who was most qualified or best suited to serve, none of that has been transmitted or shared.”
Wozney says parents shouldn’t be shut out of PACE meetings when they make decisions that will help inform school policy.
He worries that just like the Nova Scotia Health Authority, the meetings of the group, meant to speak for Nova Scotians, will be secret.
He’s calling on government to make the meetings public and post the full minutes online.
“When it comes to decisions involving children, parents deserve 100 per cent
access to the process. They have every right to be in the room when important
conversations are being had.” #nspoli #NSEDhttps://t.co/qDphBj2ZsC pic.twitter.com/ZRBHVP9xsR— NS Teachers Union (@NSTeachersUnion) September 27, 2018
Reported by Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
