How will authorities help Quebec schoolchildren after teacher strike?
Province introduces catch-up plan after seven-week break in school.
After a seven-week teacher strike in Quebec, students are back in classrooms. The backlog of learning caused by the downtime has forced the province to allocate CA$ 300 million to a catch-up program.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville has admitted that around half a million pupils need extra support. Teachers will assess the gaps and advise parents over the next two weeks. At a meeting with the press in Montreal, the minister announced:
"We are taking every means possible to allow our students to overcome the difficulties created by the strikes and try to bring as many of these students as possible to success."
The plan includes free after-school tutoring, enhanced language training for immigrants, summer schools for high school students on the verge of dropping out, and funding for community projects. The distribution of funds will depend on need.
The minister expressed confidence in the success due to the professionalism of teachers. He also noted that the exams this academic year will give only 10% of the final grade and will affect only the core subjects for the 4th and 5th grades of secondary school.
At the same time, the school year will end on June 24, which means that the March vacation will remain. However, some schools may also work during the vacation for voluntary tutoring. Specific work schedules will be agreed upon with labor unions.
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