(Montreal) A few days before the start of the school year, there are still 5,704 teaching positions to fill, announced the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, on Friday.
That’s about 2,800 fewer than at the same time last year, he said happily during a press conference in Montreal to take stock of vacant positions in schools.
“What I am announcing to you today is positive,” the minister said.
The shortage of education workers remains a major issue, however, as the network will have to accommodate up to 20,000 more students this year than last year, according to Mr. Drainville.
Of the 5,704 teaching positions to be filled, 1,406 are regular full-time positions and 4,298 are contract positions, including 1,144 full-time and 3,154 part-time, he said.
In recent days, unions have argued that despite the signing of new collective agreements, the education network is still struggling with a staff shortage “at all levels.”