‘Vous’ s’il vous plait: Formal address becomes the norm in Quebec schools

As students return to class after the holiday break, the formal use of addressing teachers by “vous” is officially becoming the norm in elementary and high schools across the province.

Under the Regulations on Rules of Conduct in Elementary and Secondary Schools, schoolchildren must now address school staff formally, using the title of “madame” or “monsieur”.

This measure was announced last year by Bernard Drainville, who was then Minister of Education. It is part of a plan tabled by the CAQ government to strengthen respect and civic responsibility in schools.

The other key measure of this plan was the ban on cell phones, which came into effect at the start of the school year last fall. Several stakeholders recently consulted by The Canadian Press said they had observed positive effects from the absence of cell phones in schools.

In their code of conduct, schools must include sanctions for students who fail to comply with the new rules. These may include warnings, written reflection, detention, suspension, and expulsion.

Schools must determine their sanctions based on the nature, severity, frequency, and recurrence of the infractions, using a graduated approach. They must also provide for the possibility of imposing “restorative” measures.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews