It was an exasperated Bernard Drainville who faced the union representatives during the consultations in Quebec on his reform, which aims to modify school governance and which many accuse of being centralizing and of giving too much power to the Minister of Education. .
“When I’m in front of the labor movement, I’m in need of yes”, launched Mr. Drainville, exasperated, before the representatives of the Centrale des unions du Québec (CSQ).
He then spoke of the continuing education of teachers, which Bill 23 wants to mark out and which would be 30 hours over two years. The union, like others, believes, however, that the reform opens the door to imposing training choices on professionals, thus undermining their autonomy. Rather, the minister believes that striking a “balance” is possible. “It seems to me that we can come together on this,” he insisted.
He also pleaded the cause of the new National Institute for Excellence in Education (INEÉ), whose independence is demanded by many groups who are marching before the Commission on Culture and Education.
“There is no control, he assured. There is a desire that our teachers have access to the best possible scientific knowledge, the most advanced data and the best teaching methods”.
“We are going to have continuous training which, based on this latest knowledge and these best practices, will make us better. What is the problem ? “, he launched.
For his part, the president of the CSQ, Éric Gingras, affirms that the union has on the contrary arrived with a posture of openness. “What we tried to do was ‘yes, but,’ he told the Duty. We are not rejecting the bill, but we must improve it. The minister did not see that as a yes, it is a pity his exasperation”.
He hopes to “advance” the union’s proposals. “I hope we were listened to and that we weren’t just rhetorical,” underlines Eric Gingras. The minister said he was open to perfecting his bill, but at the same time he said he wanted to resist resistance”.
There were also flights during the passage of the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) Friday morning, as well as the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN) Thursday evening. Both unions are calling for the bill to be dropped.
“To really improve student results, we must improve the composition of the class and provide decent working conditions for teachers. The minister, through this reform, is showing that he does not understand the real problems in the education network. He does not have the expertise or the capacity to manage the education network from his office in Quebec,” said FAE President Mélanie Hubert in a press release sent on Friday.
The Fédération du personnel de soutien scolaire (FPSS-CSQ), for its part, uses the term “His Majesty the King” to refer to the Minister, and accuses him of wanting “to grant himself all the powers by appointing the general managers of the centers of school services and abolishing the Higher Education Council (CSE)”. The president, Eric Pronovost, regrets that his federation was not invited to participate in the consultations, which will end on Tuesday.