The pressure put on the pupils of 3e and 4e secondary school for obtaining good grades in mathematics, in order to access “strong” maths and the science profile at CEGEP, is immense – and is not without consequences for the mental health of adolescents. Is it time to change the discourse?
“I feel a lot of pressure to decide what I’m going to do in life. This year I had performance anxiety, drop Livia Richard, 15. I ask myself: am I really ready to make this choice now? »
Registered in so-called strong mathematics, called maths SN (for natural sciences), Livia obtains good results and she is thinking of moving into pure sciences. However, she does not refer to her end of high school as a pleasant journey. “All the adults tell us that secondary 4 is decisive, that’s where the doors open,” she says.
His mother Karine tries to accompany him as best as she can: she tries to encourage him to continue… but does not want to add stress to him. “I sometimes feel caught off guard,” says the Windsor resident. It is a difficult time. »
A repeating speech
The situation experienced by Livia is widespread among students in 3e and 4e secondary, aged 14 to 16. Because some CEGEP programs require prerequisites in science (and require SN math), many adults around them, parents and teachers, tell them the importance of good academic results.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Vincent Pominville, 17 years old
“We should perhaps deconstruct this idea that our life is over if we do not go to natural sciences at CEGEP, says Vincent Pominville, a 17-year-old student in arts and letters at Cégep Gérald-Godin, in Pierrefonds. There are high school teachers who push a lot and it’s incomprehensible to me…”
Nadine Mongeon, college teacher in Blainville, mother of a 16-year-old girl in 4e secondary and a 14-year-old boy in 3e secondary, is of the same opinion. According to her, there is a “fear campaign” in some secondary schools.
“What bothers me is the way it’s presented,” she said. The doors may be closed, but they are not locked! If the young person chooses the wrong course, there are plenty of possible avenues. »
Too much pressure
At the L’Intervenant clinic, Catherine Parent, co-founder and former high school teacher for 18 years, sees many young people in difficulty, stressed and anxious. “A third of our requests for services concern anxious teenagers aged 15 or 16,” she points out.
According to Vincent Rouleau, mathematics teacher in 4e secondary school for 15 years, there is in Quebec an “overvaluation of certain programs” which is unhealthy.
Where does this pressure come from? It doesn’t just come from parents… It’s a general discourse of society when, basically, 5% to 10% of jobs require a science profile with strong math.
Vincent Rouleau, mathematics teacher in 4e secondary
He specifies that a student who forces himself to follow courses that do not interest him and in which he does not perform well will still carry the burden of “dragging” his general average thereafter, to enter the cegep among others. In other words, it does not necessarily open doors: it can be detrimental to the file and the student’s academic career.
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The sciences certainly open many doors to higher education, but this is not suitable for everyone.
This argument is echoed by Patrick Jeannotte, guidance counselor in a secondary school in Boucherville: an inadequate choice of courses is a double-edged sword, according to him.
“Students who choose a restricted program, such as police techniques, could be penalized by a lower general average,” he explains, adding that ironically, the science profile is not required for this career choice.
other options
Several options are available to students who have not chosen the science profile and change orientation along the way: refresher courses upon entering CEGEP, a summer session, classes at training for adults, the Tremplin DEC (special program that allows students to continue their journey in order to integrate a course leading to obtaining their diploma of college studies).
There are many paths … and this must be valued and put forward, believes Marie-Luce Leclerc, member of the management of the Pensionnat Saint-Nom-de-Marie in Montreal.
It is not true that outside the sciences there is no salvation. This is not a race for grades! My speech is rather to say to the students: “Go in what you think you like according to your needs, your interests, your achievements and your abilities.”
Marie-Luce Leclerc, member of the management of the Pensionnat Saint-Nom-de-Marie in Montreal
She reminds us that this changes over time. She cites the example of the journey of her 22-year-old daughter. Passionate about fashion, she did not take chemistry or physics classes in high school. “And today, she’s studying engineering!” »
To better accompany and support her teenager in his choice of courses and career orientation, Annie Harvey, spokesperson for Alloprof, suggests playing down the situation.
“We must open the conversation and invite our child to find his way, notes Mme Harvey. If he is bothered, we can suggest that he turn to the guidance counselor at his school, but also to his peers, friends, cousins and cousins. They are often good resources to help clear the land. »