St. John’s, NL (October 3, 2024) – Paul Dinn, PC Shadow Minister for Education and MHA for Topsail-Paradise, today called on the Minister of Education to break her silence and speak to the latest issue of school violence that has shaken our community.

Dinn was reacting to media reports today of a vicious attack on a student at MacDonald Drive Junior High. This is on the heels of a teen being charged with possessing weapons at Waterford Valley High on September 18. Dinn also heard from a parent that E.A. Butler All Grade in McKay’s went into secure lockdown on September 27 following a violent outburst by a child.

Dinn repeated his calls from a September 20th media release: “Where is the Minister of Education? How many more attacks and violent incidents are we going to have in our schools before the Minister responds?”

Dinn indicated that the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association (NLTA) published a report earlier this year indicating that teachers face 29 violent incidents in school every day. 

“Unfortunately, we have not heard any response or action plan from the Leadership of the Department of Education. How many more incidents are we going to have before the Minister finally takes action?

Dinn noted the Minister said at a public meeting in Kenmount Terrace in June that there was “violence in all schools.”

“This is an abdication of leadership and a failure of the Furey Liberals. The Minister should be calling a meeting today of teachers, administrators, parents and other stakeholders to address the rising crisis of school violence. We cannot wait any longer before something more serious happens.”

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