The new Student Attendance and Engagement Policy in Nova Scotia that took effect on October 1st is hurting so many more people than it is helping. Please help us get the change that we need, not only for current students, but, for the students of the future, by signing this petition and sharing it with everyone you know.

The policy change made many students and their parents or guardians angry. Students brought up the question of ‘what happens to people who have an illness that requires appointments or to people who have mental health issues?’ along with what happened to what used to be special circumstance absences. These questions cannot go unanswered by the province. The FAQ for the policy states that “In instances like this, you would work closely with the school, and community partners, when appropriate to develop the right support for your child.” Some schools in this province are so overloaded that the administration cannot handle the sheer amount of students within one building.

A public high school within the Halifax Regional School Board did not make any attempt to help a student come up with a plan to work through the student’s personal situation and relieve some of the stress that this policy change created. After multiple complaints and questions, they were told that ‘either you’re there, or you’re not.’. This is just one example of many.

The debate then arises concerning whether a student’s health is more important than class attendance, or if they should miss crucial appointments to focus on school no matter what. This debate will continue until this issue is amended. We are tired of the Nova Scotia Department of Education telling us that they care about their students; as they proceed to make policies such as this. None of us, even the Department of Education, can help if a student is missing class time due to illness, hospitalization, or other issues that used to be a special circumstance. We can help other students, parents, guardians, friends and family, to be understood and to get action from the Nova Scotia Department of Education on this horrendous policy that they have put in place.

We, on behalf of students who are struggling with any illnesses or any other issue that would have been considered a “special circumstance”, would like to extend a welcome to students, parents, guardians, friends and family, to sign this petition to change the Student Attendance and Engagement Policy and we also encourage you to call or mail the Department of Education about this issue. We are every colour of the spectrum, and every shape imaginable; we should not be confined to black, white and a check in a box from a system that is broken!

Thank you,

Nova Scotia Public School Students