ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A school principal has been instructed by the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) to not participate in an interview with the CBC for an upcoming broadcast of “The Sunday Edition.”
The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (NLTA) was shocked to learn of the development, it said in a news release.
“To tell educators that they are not permitted to discuss an issue as serious as school violence is alarming,” NLTA president Dean Ingram stated in a Tuesday news release.
“How are we ever going to fix the issues in education if those on the front lines, working directly with and delivering services to students, face disciplinary action if they speak out about their professional experiences and reality? I doubt any other jurisdiction in the country puts such a gag order on their professionals.”
Ingram did not disclose who the principal was.
Asked for comment by The Telegram, the NLESD stated in an email that it reserved the right to determine who may speak on behalf of the organization.
“Like any employer, the district reserves the right to determine who is best equipped to represent the organization in the media, based on the subject matter,” the NLESD stated.
“Ultimately, for a variety of reasons, the district determined it would not participate in the panel discussion as it was structured. This had nothing whatsoever to do with the individual the media outlet had identified as its chosen panel member, and the NLTA was advised of this. In fact, the district routinely approves teachers, administrators and others to conduct media interviews on matters related to projects and activities within their local school communities.”
In a further statement issued later Tuesday, NLESD CEO/Director of Education Tony Stack said the NLTA news release was a “flagrant distortion of the facts.”
He noted the process for determining a spokesperson is outlined in policy.
Hosting conference
The CBC wanted to speak with a school administrator from this province as part of its recent series on school violence, which is part of a growing trend of student behaviour.
Through conversations with the NLESD, the school principal was directed not to do the interview, and was advised via email that the district would not provide him with “approval to represent the district.”
According to the NLTA, the principal was not asked to speak on behalf of the NLESD, nor did he seek to speak on behalf of the district, but rather to share his perspective on the issue of violence in schools, and his experiences as a veteran K-6 administrator.
As part of the conversation on the importance of education, the NLTA will host a Leaders Forum on Education on Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Portugal Cove Road in St. John’s.
The leaders from all of the political parties have been invited and the event will be streamed live across the province.
According to the CBC, educators from other provinces have been interviewed as part of earlier segments of “The Sunday Edition” series.
“The NLTA believes strongly that teachers and administrators have a right and a responsibility to discuss matters of public policy, including issues in education, especially when those issues directly impact the safety and well-being of students and teachers,” Ingram stated.
