School Safety
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development works with Regional Centres for Education, the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, school staff and many other partners to make sure Nova Scotia schools are places where students can focus on learning and staff can safely do their jobs.
Safe School Strategy
Unacceptable behaviours, including all types of discrimination and violence, have no place in our schools.
Nova Scotia’s safe school strategy ensures schools have policies, procedures and resources that support our commitment to safe and supportive schools.
Provincial School Code of Conduct Policy: the Code of Conduct establishes standards of behaviour for all Nova Scotia public schools and sets expectations around response to unacceptable behaviours.
The Code of Conduct was updated in 2025.
Learn more:
- Information for parents and caregivers
- Information for school staff
- Guide for Responding to Unacceptable Behaviours
- Classroom poster
Inclusive Education Policy: this Policy supports the well-being and achievement of every student by ensuring they feel they belong and are safe and valued.
School Emergency Management Plans: these plans prepare schools to keep students and staff safe in emergencies, including lockdowns and hold-and-secure situations.
The plans are updated annually and shared with neighbouring police agencies during an emergency in accordance with the Nova Scotia Policing Standards.
Specialized staff: schools across Nova Scotia employ staff in specialized roles from student supervisors to learning support teachers who provide direct, collaborative support to classroom teachers and students.
Student behaviour tracking and information: schools record and track unacceptable behaviors, including violence, in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
This data informs decisions by schools, regions and the province, including investigating and responding to incidents, directing resources and providing supports.
Who to Contact
- If you are concerned about violence or other safety issue in a school, you should first contact the school administrator.
School contact information is available online and administrators are the best resource to oversee the creation of a plan that responds to your concerns.
- After speaking with the school, you also have the option to reach out to the Regional Centre for Education or CSAP.
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1.
Information for School Staff
Health and safety in the workplace is a joint responsibility between employers, employees and any other professionals in the workplace (for example, contractors or suppliers).
Reporting Incidents of Unacceptable Behaviour
Information provided through PowerSchool helps to make decisions at the school, Regional/Board and provincial levels, including investigating and responding to incidents, directing resources and providing supports.
It is important teachers and other school staff report every intentional and unintentional incident through PowerSchool in accordance with the Provincial School Code of Conduct Policy.
If you have questions about reporting incidents, speak to your administrator as soon as possible.
Workplace Health and Safety
As employers, schools and Regional Centres for Education or the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial are responsible for ensuring school staff are safe at work in compliance with Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Regions and CSAP have health and safety policies, deliver training and provide advice to staff with the goal of preventing workplace injuries and maintaining healthy and safe schools.
If you have questions about health or safety in your workplace or feel your health or safety are in danger, you should speak immediately to your supervisor or school administrator. You can also reach out to your workplace joint occupational health and safety committee.
More information about health and safety in the workplace is available on the Government of Nova Scotia’s Heath and Safety webpage.
Reports and Updates
New Staff to Address Violence in Schools, Support Learning – news release, October 2024
Province Modernizes Policing Standards – news release, September 2024; first time standards for school emergency planning and response are included in policing standards
New Cell Phone Directive for Nova Scotia Schools – news release, June 2024
Statement on Auditor General’s Report on Preventing, Addressing School Violence – Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, June 2024
Preventing and Addressing Violence in Nova Scotia Public Schools – report from the Nova Scotia Auditor General, June 2024