Iqaluit District Education Authority revisits suspensions

SARA MINOGUE

Throwing kids out of school when they misbehave doesn’t work, and the Iqaluit District Education Authority is working on a new policy to deal with delinquent students without resorting to suspensions.

Teachers in Iqaluit rely on the IDEA’s Code of Conduct and Discipline Procedures policy, which hasn’t been updated for at least six years. That document outlines what steps should be taken in cases of extremely bad behaviour, such as property damage, fighting with other students, and assaulting a student or teacher with a weapon.

In many cases, the policy recommends suspension or expulsion. In almost all cases, it recommends counseling, although the opportunities for counseling may be limited.

The IDEA is responsible for school discipline and believes the policy is ready for change, IDEA chair Christa Kunuk told about 15 parents, teachers and students who met at Inuksuk High School on Tuesday night for the IDEA’s annual general meeting, and a discussion on school discipline.

In May and June, the IDEA interviewed all of the teachers in Iqaluit to hear what they think of the current policy. Kunuk and IDEA member Jeannie Eeseemailie spent an hour and a half on CBC radio last Friday hearing from parents.

The IDEA now plans to interview students to “understand how the policy must change and reflect current thinking on disclipline,” Kunuk said.

Some teachers said the rules needed to be stricter, and that perhaps there should be “zero tolerance” for violence of any kind. Others were pleased with new programs at Joamie School, Nakasuk School and Aqsaarniit School that focus on repairing relationships when people misbehave, rather than simply punishing the offenders.

Some parents who called into the radio show were concerned that when children are suspended, there’s no help for them when they come back after two or three weeks outside of school.

So far, IDEA member Katherine Trumper told the group, the common theme from parents and teachers is that more emphasis should be placed on inclusive types of programs rather than suspensions.

“Suspensions are not a constructive way of dealing with issues,” Trumper said.

Barb Young, vice principal at Inuksuk High School, said that she has been in circumstances where there was simply no other option. She described an incident last year where a student kicked her and took a swing at another student, and was later suspended.

“We had nowhere to send that kid for support,” she said. “We didn’t want to send him out, but we had no choice. Suspension sometimes is the only option to keep kids safe.”

Carol Horn, the principal of Nakasuk elementary school, echoed that concern.

“What’s really obvious in schools is how isolated we are,” Horn said. Sometimes, the only option when dealing with an aggressive student is to call the police, and that is a “vast jump,” she said.

Horn would like to see more support from social services, parents or elders groups.

Terry Young, the principal of Inuksuk High School, agreed that the community needs to provide more services to students who do have to be removed from school temporarily.

“The resources in the community are so hard to tap into, if indeed they are there,” he said.

In a recommendation made to the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education, the IDEA has suggested amending the Education Act to include legal responsibilities for the departments of justice and health and social services.

Parents and community members can contact the IDEA with their views on school discipline, or visit their new website at www.iqaluitdea.net to find out more.