Only Canada and Nova Scotia flags allowed outside schools on South Shore

A Nova Scotia centre for education has issued a directive allowing only Canada and Nova Scotia flags to fly outside South Shore schools — a move the provincial teachers union calls concerning and confusing.

Peter Day, head of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, said many of his members told him over the weekend they're upset that flags representing Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotian, LGBTQ+ and other communities were ordered taken down.

"The teachers that have reached out, they're quite upset because they understand how important symbols are in our school for our kids. And when these symbols are taken down, the kids can feel isolated and vulnerable," Day said an interview Monday.

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education, which represents 23 English-language elementary, middle and high schools, said in a statement that flags that are not of Canada or Nova Scotia will be taken off flagpoles and displayed inside the schools. It issued the directive to its schools on Friday.

"This is a regional decision made to ensure that the flags are better cared for and protected from damage," centre spokesperson Ashley Gallant said in an emailed statement.

Diverse flags in foyer, gym or cafeteria

She said flags representing diverse communities will be displayed in high-visibility areas like a school's foyer, gym or cafeteria.

Day said that while it's great to have symbols celebrating Nova Scotia's diverse student population inside schools, flags should be displayed outside for all to see.

"Whether it be our Mi'kmaq students, our African Nova Scotian students, or Acadian students, Gaelic students, or 2SLGBTQ+ students, all students should get to see themselves represented in the school community they're in as they're walking up to the school doors," Day said.

However, Gallant said that too often, flags flying outside schools get ripped or damaged in other ways, adding that the centre for education has received complaints from the community about the poor state of school flags.

"Additionally, maintaining multiple flags is quite time-consuming and costly," she said.

Gallant did not immediately respond to a question about the cost of replacing flags.

Union hopes for meeting with province

Day said he agrees it's important that the flags flown in front of schools are in good condition, and emphasized that "no one ever wants to see a tattered Canadian flag."

"We can unite around the national flag and also continue to celebrate our diversity. These two ideas are not mutually exclusive. We can be very proud Canadians flying the Canada flag and at the same time show our acceptance and welcome all communities into our schools," he said.

The union leader said he hopes to meet with the minister of education to discuss the new policy and see that it is amended so schools can continue to fly multiple flags. Day said he's hopeful the regional centre reconsiders its decision.