Halifax Education Centre Lays Off Over 50 Support Staff Amid Student Reassessments
More than 50 educational program assistants were laid off this fall at the Halifax Regional Centre for Education. CUPE Local 5047 and parents allege the cuts are tied to a provincial directive to reassess student support needs, reducing services for children with exceptionalities despite rising demand.
More than 50 educational program assistants were laid off this fall at the Halifax Regional Centre for Education after being told there was no work for them. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5047 and parents in Halifax, Nova Scotia, allege that the regional centres for education are cutting support services to students with exceptionalities to save money.
Shelley McNeil, president of CUPE Local 5047, stated that redundancies are occurring even though the needs of students with exceptionalities are continuing to rise. The recent layoffs may be tied to a directive from the province to reassess the support needs of students already receiving assistance.
Parents report facing unexpected reassessments of their children's eligibility for services. Robin Gushue, whose 15-year-old daughter Olivia has cerebral palsy and requires full-time support, received an unusual email in September requesting access to her daughter's care plan. Gushue suspects the request was an attempt to reduce supports. Olivia Gushue has required full-time support workers since moving to Nova Scotia almost ten years ago, including two workers for transfers when needed.
In response to the reduction in support services, CUPE has filed a Freedom of Information Request with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to find out what prompted the reassessments. The union is also demanding that Minister Brendan Maguire explain why critical supports are being taken from children.
For further information, CUPE Communications can be reached at 902-412-5780.