Quebec’s education system needs to be changed: Léger survey

Quebecers want to change their education system and nearly 70 per cent believe that a major collective reflection is needed to develop a clear vision and a long-term plan according to new results from a Léger survey conducted on behalf of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ).

The data revealed that 49 per cent of young people don’t have a healthy and safe environment, and 50 per cent don’t believe that young people have fair and equal access to different educational programs and services.

“The vast majority of Quebecers believe that education must be a priority,” said CSQ President Éric Gingras.

“And when we give them the opportunity to dream, their aspirations match those of the network’s staff. It’s not rocket science: there are fundamental problems in education, and we must take the time to look at them, by including all the network’s partners. We need a long-term vision and a structuring plan.”

63 per cent of respondents believe that the current services are not appropriate or sufficient, and 68 per cent said that major changes were necessary.

The survey was conducted from Dec. 6 to 8, 2024, with 1,011 respondents.

When asked about the future of the education system in Quebec, 90 per cent agreed that a long-term plan is needed and 74 per cent said that there has been more short-term planning without thinking about the lasting effects.

“You cannot cut one dollar in education right now”

“People are talking about the education system, they say they want more, they want better. Let’s work with that and let’s continue, the last thing we need is to cut any dollar,” Gingras said.

The CSQ has been raising the alarm bells since last year, the CSQ began the year by emphasizing that the issues shaking the education network lie beyond collective agreements, structures and administration.

“The survey confirms the negative perception that Quebecers have of the education system. The status quo serves no one. Moreover, management based on the next school year is also an element that emerges from this survey. We must rebuild trust. The good news is that it is possible. All that is missing is the political will,” said Gingras.

“We hear it on the field in the classes, in the classrooms, in the schools, everywhere,” he said. ” 68% want that big reflection to sit everybody at a table and talk about what we want for schools, not for the next two or three years, not as a political gain.”

Currently, they face several challenges including an educational hiring freeze but the CSQ and four of its federations have filed a complaint with the Administrative Labour Tribunal against the CAQ government.

A hearing is scheduled to take place in the spring.

“Over the next few months, the CSQ will develop a work platform, identifying issues and proposing possible solutions based on what staff experience on a daily basis, what they observe, experience and hope for,” reads a press release.

“We need to talk about equal opportunities, inequalities of access, students with special needs, literacy issues, violence, the place of religion, etc. At the CSQ, we don’t claim to have all the solutions, but we do. And we want to hear those of others and their point of view – that of school management, parents, academics and experts, the government. That’s what social dialogue is and currently, there’s no space to do it. At the CSQ, we think that’s what’s keeping us going around in circles. And clearly, the population tends to agree with us on that,” added Gingras.

Among many issues, Montrealers spoke about francization programs by the Quebec government, diversity issues, and the roadblocks set for international students

“I think the government’s attempt to jack up the tuition on out-of-province students is a scandalous move on their part and I don’t mind saying so and I think they should reverse that,” said a Montrealer on St-Catherine Street. “The city of Montreal suffers from the the absence of as many foreign students or students from other parts of Canada,” he said.

Another Montrealer expressed concern for education in the healthcare system.

“I prefer to have more education programs, especially in the healthcare because we are suffering here from the healthcare. We need to have some programs dealing with health assistance to see even if we can do some qualification exam for doctors or educated from outside to facilitate the incorporation and the health system to improve this.” he said. “

This is very important for us.”

The CSQ is also monitoring the ongoing issues with the francization classes because the teaching positions have been heavily impacted.