What is PPE?

Children are naturally fascinated by safety gear—watch a child’s eyes light up as they observe a firefighter demonstrating the personal protective equipment they need to put on to do their job safely. Visiting a doctor’s or dentist’s office can feel like stepping into a different world, full of specialized tools designed to help professionals perform their work. But now, children in classrooms across the province are seeing something unsettling: their teachers “suit up” in protective equipment - not for an extraordinary emergency, but just to manage the everyday realities of their classrooms.

Imagine what it’s like for a child to process the sight of their teacher donning protective gear before teaching their class. Many teachers are directed to wear PPE to avoid injury when dysregulated students have violent or aggressive outbursts.  We associate knights in armour and firefighters in gear with bravery in dangerous situations—but what does it say when a teacher must wear safety equipment just to be in the classroom? Every child deserves a safe and welcoming learning environment where they can thrive, but for many students, this is far from the reality.  The classroom, once a place of security and growth, is becoming an environment where children’s sense of safety and well-being is being eroded.

When children feel unsafe or anxious, they can’t focus on learning. Instead of addressing the root causes of this crisis—such as underfunding mental health services, providing adequate school supports, and tackling systemic issues like poverty and affordable housing— decision-makers continue to rely on temporary measures like safety gear for teachers. But no amount of protective equipment can shield children from the emotional toll these conditions are taking.

We must do better. Every child deserves a classroom where they feel safe, supported, and able to learn without fear. It’s time to stop relying on band-aid solutions and start investing in real, long-term changes that give children the chance to thrive.