Calls Grow for Provincewide AI Guidelines in Nova Scotia Classrooms

No Provincewide Policy on AI in Nova Scotia Schools

Nova Scotia currently does not have a provincewide policy outlining how artificial intelligence (AI) should be used in classrooms. Instead, the Department of Education has left decisions on the use of AI technologies to each of the province's seven regional centres for education and the francophone school board. This localized approach has resulted in inconsistent application of AI tools and guidelines in schools, prompting parents and educators to call for clear, provincewide regulations.

Inconsistency Among Regional Policies

A CBC News review found that AI policies vary widely across school districts:

• The Halifax and Chignecto-Central regional centres for education have written guidelines on classroom AI use.
• The Cape Breton-Victoria district lets teachers use their judgment, with rules differing by grade level.
• The Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education adheres to provincial curriculum and guidance, and has a technology team to support staff.
• The South Shore and Tri-County districts focus on fundamental skills, while monitoring AI developments.
• The Strait Regional Centre is finalizing its AI guidelines, and the francophone Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial is developing a policy via committee.

This patchwork of approaches has led to growing concern among stakeholders, who worry that students are not receiving equal opportunities or protections regarding AI in education.

Concerns Raised by Parents and Educators

Jenna Poste, a parent and member of the advocacy group Skills Before Screens, is particularly concerned about the lack of a unified approach. "We need to have consistency," said Poste, who urges a cautious introduction of AI in schools and is pushing for more data-driven decision-making before fully embracing such technologies in classrooms. Her group has launched a petition calling for a pause, similar to a recent move in New York City, where a one-year moratorium on generative AI was imposed in schools through Grade 8.

Peter Day, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, noted that some teachers increasingly rely on in-class paper assessments due to concerns about academic integrity. Day stressed the need for clear guardrails, likening AI responsibilities to safely instructing students on potentially dangerous equipment. "We really need to be showing students how AI works and what an appropriate use for it would be," Day argued, but noted there is no provincewide professional development focused purely on AI. Current training is mostly available through voluntary programs and regional initiatives.

Educational Leadership and Teacher Training Challenges

Chris Boulter, senior executive director for Nova Scotia's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, emphasized that the government wants students to have similar educational experiences across the province, but confirmed that the department is still considering whether to implement provincewide guidelines for AI use. "It's an ongoing conversation," Boulter said, noting that officials are monitoring policies in other jurisdictions. The primary focus remains on fundamental skills such as literacy, math, and critical thinking, which Boulter believes are essential foundations for engaging with AI technologies.

Both Day and Johan Woodworth, an assistant professor at Mount Saint Vincent University who teaches about AI integration and literacy, highlighted professional development gaps. Woodworth cautioned that teachers need more time and resources to build their own understanding of AI before they can effectively guide students, adding that AI can shortcut learning or introduce biased and incorrect information if not used thoughtfully.

Looking to Other Jurisdictions

Advocates point to international examples for inspiration—such as New York City’s temporary ban on classroom chatbots and generative AI in lower grades—as possible models for Nova Scotia. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has argued that integrating AI into early education is neither inevitable nor necessary, a sentiment echoed by some Nova Scotia educators and families.

Skills Before Screens and other groups continue to push for a pause and formal policy, questioning whether the potential benefits of AI in schools outweigh possible risks to learning and academic integrity.

The Way Forward

The Nova Scotia Department of Education has not committed to creating a provincewide AI use policy, but ongoing discussions continue among government officials, educators, and advocacy groups. Meanwhile, regional centres for education are left to set their own rules, leading to calls for more training, clearer guidelines, and a more coordinated approach to integrating AI responsibly into Nova Scotia classrooms.

Source: cbc.ca.