Back to school 2024-2025 | Back to school, everyone!

Returning to school after two long months of vacation gives rise to an overflowing of emotions. Between the endless hugs between two kindergarten friends who are reunited (finally!) and the tears that a father delicately wipes from his daughter’s cheeks, the schoolyards of the province were the scene of a new school year on Tuesday morning.

“Seeing friends again.”

With one voice, sisters Laurie and Élisabeth Gagné, aged 9 and 6, encapsulate what brings happiness to hundreds of thousands of students starting this school year: getting together.

The media were invited Tuesday morning to the courtyard of Christ-Roi Elementary School in the Ahuntsic district, where a festive atmosphere reigned. Ariane Moffatt’s voice echoed over the loudspeakers. “I’m going back to Montreal.”

At the Montreal School Service Centre (CSSDM) alone, the largest in Quebec, 115,000 students entered class on Tuesday. All across the province, the school year is starting this week.

Josée Chrétien held a large poster with the first names of her 18 students.

“And they are not in love yet, often it starts in 4^e year, so I don’t have to deal with any couple quarrels,” M continues with a laugh.^me Christian, who is in his 33rd year^e year of teaching.

A special education teacher, Guy Kuigoua bursts into laughter when asked if he is the only male teacher at this school. “No, no, no! There are others,” he says.

This teacher will have seven students in his group this year. “It’s a small group, but it’s a diverse group with its challenges.” Next to him, one of his students waits patiently, with his Expos t-shirt and cap screwed on his head.

A mother approaches Mr. Kuigoua. “Which group? Do you know which group, fourth grade?” she asks.

This is another “challenge” that the CSSDM must face: its students come from 175 countries.

This summer, the school service center says it saw a drop in the number of students enrolling in reception classes, but around 1,400 students were added during the summer period alone.

Students in the reception class stay in these groups for about a year, the time it takes to master French enough to join regular groups. They occupy the equivalent of 20 schools, according to the school service center.

A school “privileged” to have all its staff

Amidst the hubbub, the children’s cries and the music, the director Laila Tamda struggled to make herself heard.

“Welcome! I wish us a good start to the school year and the entire school team is ready to welcome you,” she said loudly. The students paid little attention, too busy looking for their teacher or their friends.

The school can count on a full team of around forty people. “I feel privileged,” says M.^me Tamda.

The shortage of teachers is not too acute, confirms the general director of the CSSDM, Isabelle Gélinas, who says that 97% of the positions are filled. Recruitment nevertheless continues throughout the year, she specifies.

Across the schoolyard, Nacera Bouzegaou says that “after a while, you stop counting” the years of teaching. On Tuesday morning, this 2-year-old teacher^e year looked warmly and attentively at each of the little ones who came before her. In the background, several parents watched her welcome their children.

“I try to make contact, to make a connection. It’s very important. The poor things, they left [la maison] after two months,” said M.^me Bouzegaou, adding that she “still has energy after 32 years of service.”

Florence Lavoie said she was “a little” stressed about going back to 3^e year. “I don’t know who’s going to be in my class,” the 8-year-old says.

Her father says he “sympathizes” with the excitement of his daughter and his son, Leonard, who is entering 1^D year.

“We know what it is. But I’m happy, it’s part of the learning, this little stress. And these are beautiful days,” concludes Loïc Lavoie.