In an assertive move that’s sparking conversation across the province, Nova Scotia’s Education Minister Becky Druhan has directed all public schools to play the Canadian national anthem daily, marking a significant shift in provincial education policy. The directive comes in response to a compelling letter from two Yarmouth high school students who noticed their school had quietly discontinued the practice.
“When symbols of national unity fade from our daily routines, we lose something essential to our shared identity,” Minister Druhan stated while announcing the policy change earlier this week. “These students demonstrated remarkable civic engagement by bringing this matter to our attention.”
The decision reinstates a tradition that had gradually disappeared from many Nova Scotia schools over recent years without formal announcement or public discussion. According to department officials, the practice had become inconsistent across the province’s 370 public schools, with some maintaining daily anthem performances while others had phased it out entirely.
The student-led campaign began when Emma Fitzgerald and James Crowell, both seniors at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School, noticed the absence of “O Canada” during morning announcements and decided to take action. Their letter, which circulated among local representatives before reaching Minister Druhan, questioned why such a fundamental expression of national identity had been abandoned.
“We weren’t looking to create controversy,” Fitzgerald explained in an interview with CO24 News. “We simply believe that starting the day by acknowledging our shared Canadian identity creates a sense of community that benefits everyone in our school.”
The directive has received mixed reactions from educational stakeholders across Canada. Provincial teachers’ union representatives have expressed concern about the implementation timeline, noting that schools with technical limitations may struggle to comply immediately. Meanwhile, parent associations have generally supported the move, with 68% of respondents in a provincial parent survey indicating approval for daily anthem performances.
Dr. Elizabeth Thornhill, an education policy expert from Dalhousie University, contextualizes the decision: “National anthem policies in schools have historically reflected broader social and political currents. This return to daily performance of ‘O Canada’ represents a recommitment to shared symbols during a period when many are questioning what binds us together as Canadians.”
The directive stipulates that schools must implement daily anthem performances by December 1st, allowing institutions time to address logistical considerations. Schools are permitted flexibility in how they incorporate the anthem—whether during morning announcements, assemblies, or through other appropriate venues.
This development in Nova Scotia follows similar conversations about national symbols in educational settings across other provinces. Ontario has maintained a consistent requirement for daily anthem performances, while Quebec and British Columbia have adopted more flexible approaches that leave implementation decisions to individual school boards.
As this policy takes effect across Nova Scotia classrooms, the fundamental question remains: in an increasingly diverse society, what role should traditional national symbols play in our educational environments, and how do we balance respect for shared heritage with recognition of our evolving national identity?
