[Opinion] The school, a living and working environment

When I was a student, to enter the chemistry lab of 5e high school, my classmates and I had to put our homework on the lab counter. That was it: a point that’s all! No discussion, no excuses.

That was not all! If we had made a single mistake, we had to start our work over again! Full ! At the time, I confess, I did not like our teacher. I found it far too harsh. But a few years later, I understood the reasons that pushed him to act like this.

Our teacher had an idea in mind: we had to realize that we were capable. I think we should go back to those requirements. Gilles Vigneault says this when addressing young people: demand high standards. The poet is right.

Could such a teacher be as rigorous today? I do not think so. Many parents would oppose him. Some principals would find him too hard on the students. Even work colleagues would question his way of doing things, in the name of benevolence.

In my opinion, we have to encourage young people to make an effort, teach them learning strategies, work methods, and help them to organize themselves, starting in elementary school—we have to start somewhere, and it should be done as soon as possible.

For this, authority must be given back to the teaching staff in the schools. It is through work well done and daily efforts at school that young people will take the role of this institution seriously. Before talking about learning and academic success, let’s encourage all students to make the necessary efforts and support them. They are capable of it.

However, I often hear that, even if several students do not hand in their work, nothing will happen! Well, something has to happen! What ? Let them be forced to complete and submit the work. And whether they have to put it back (well done) to take the next exam, or others…

From now on

Messages need to be sent to students and parents. From now on, school is a living environment where students have rights, but also duties. Going to school comes with responsibilities.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of resources at the school. Minister Bernard Drainville has a daunting task to accomplish in this respect. In particular, it must improve the working conditions of teaching and non-teaching staff. The task of teachers has indeed become much too heavy. It will need to be lightened. But teachers must also have more professional autonomy. In addition, there are not enough special education technicians, psychologists, to meet the increasingly diverse needs of students.

Furthermore, evidence should guide teachers in choosing the best teaching approaches. For example, the Follow Through project proved that teacher-centered strategies (direct instruction) had the best results, such as explicit instruction.

Barak Rosenshire’s empirical research has shown that this type of teaching is highly appropriate for various subjects, such as learning reading, science, mathematics, grammar, mother tongue, history and, to a lesser extent, foreign languages.

In addition, explicit teaching is particularly appropriate for young students and those who learn slowly. There is therefore enough evidence for this pedagogical approach to be widely used in the Quebec education system.

We must all, collectively, raise expectations for young people and parents. Learning requires rigorous intellectual work. Students do not go to school to have fun. Certainly, we must offer interesting activities to young people, but we must also encourage them to surpass themselves and to be proud of their efforts made throughout the school year.

When they arrive at CEGEP, for example, the majority of them find that the step is very high. Some change programs several times or simply give up. However, young people are capable of surpassing themselves in several areas, provided that they are pushed more upwards, and not downwards, as has unfortunately been the case for many years. Students should be required to turn in their homework and start over if there is a single mistake.

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