The deadlock in negotiations between Quebec and the yellow bus carriers is giving headaches to school administrators, who are trying to avoid service disruptions in view of the start of the school year in two weeks. According to what The duty has learned, virtual education for students deprived of transport is one of the possibilities discussed in recent days, but Minister Jean-François Roberge rules out this last resort solution.
“Regarding the situation with school transporters, distance learning is not envisaged,” says Audrey Noiseux, press secretary to the Minister of Education.
Our sources indicate that virtual teaching is one of the scenarios discussed between the Federation of School Service Centers of Quebec and the Ministry of Education – since it is necessary to think carefully about all the possible solutions. However, the school community is not thrilled with this possible way out of the crisis, which is far from optimal for the return to class.
It’s one to midnight. We are able to turn on a dime, as usual, but we need a quick solution to take some stress off the start of the school year.
“It’s one solution among many others, but young people should be in class, ideally,” says Carl Ouellet, president of the Quebec Association of School Management Staff.
“It’s one to midnight. We are able to turn on a dime, as usual, but we need a quick solution to take some stress off at the start of the school year, ”adds the representative of 700 school principals from 12 service centers .
The duty reported Thursday that negotiations between Quebec and school carriers remain inconclusive. The Federation of bus carriers is calling for bonuses estimated at between 20% and 25% of contracts because of the significant increase in the cost of gasoline, maintenance and the purchase of vehicles, as well as labor. ‘work.
Avoid virtual school
School service centers are warning parents to have a plan B for transporting their children back to school. Distance learning arouses no enthusiasm. The reception of children entering school, especially in kindergarten or first grade, is difficult to envisage in a virtual way, underlines Carl Ouellet.
Other types of students – handicapped, with adjustment or learning difficulties, or even newcomers – would suffer greatly from a virtual return, specifies Kathleen Legault, president of the Montreal Association of School Principals. (AMDES). In Montreal, these vulnerable students are the most likely to use yellow bus transportation because they often attend specialized classes or reception classes outside their neighbourhood. “These are also the students who respond the least well to online teaching,” explains Kathleen Legault.
“I don’t think online education is something to be preferred. We absolutely have to find another solution”, adds the president of the AMDES.
The Federation of School Service Centers indicated Thursday that managers “are currently analyzing possible solutions to welcome students at the start of the school year”, without wanting to say more “for the moment”.
Ongoing negotiations
For its part, the cabinet of Jean-François Roberge reiterated on Friday its “confidence” in the ongoing negotiation process. “We will do everything to provide school transport to all students at the start of the school year,” said the minister’s spokesperson.
She recalls that Quebec has advanced 30 million per year for bonuses aimed at attracting and retaining bus and sedan drivers. The additional financial measures granted by the government represent a 30.5% increase in school transport allowances, or more than 200 million since 2017.
“Discussions are continuing with the school bus operators, and financial measures have been added to take into account each of the issues related to the negotiation,” she adds.