Over 4,000 school positions still unfilled in Quebec

The overall lack of academic staff is being felt in Quebec – three months into the school year.

According to data from the Ministry of Education, more than 4,000 positions are still unfilled, including close to 800 jobs for psychologists, speech therapists and special education teachers.

According to some officials, many professionals are leaving the public sector for the private sector, where the working conditions and salaries are more enticing.

Currently, there are 769 available positions in primary and secondary schools – which is nearly a 10 per cent increase since August.

However, since the beginning of the school year, the number of teaching positions that need to be filled has decreased – sitting at 1,461.

Officials say all these unfilled positions have impacted students because they don’t have stable teachers and professionals in their classes.

The data also shows that nearly 2,000 support staff positions need to be filled, including 1,200 school educators.