In recent days, the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) and the Federation of Education Unions (FSE-CSQ) reached an agreement in principle with the government.
The children will return to class next week. For young people who have a teacher unionized with the FAE, we are talking about 24 consecutive days missed out of a total of 180.
Thus, Minister Bernard Drainville will have to come to us quickly with a game plan to make up for lost time.
Spring break in the trash?
The first question is whether spring break will be maintained.
We can imagine that the government will not want to touch this week, which has existed since the dawn of time.
Especially since several parents have already planned a trip outside the country. If spring break is canceled, several young people risk missing class.
So, is it possible to extend the school year beyond the national holiday? Again, there may be resistance. Teachers will certainly not be keen on the idea of giving lessons in July in classes that are not air-conditioned.
So, what’s left? Cancel all educational days? School on Saturday morning? Or finish classes an hour later each day?
Flexibility
Throughout the fall, the government asked for more flexibility in health and education. So, if there is an agreement in principle in the educational sector, we can imagine that the unions responded positively to this question of flexibility.
Therefore, the resumption of lost days, especially for children affected by the indefinite general strike of the FAE, will be a first test on the question of flexibility.
However, we must not start 2024 dreaming in color, our school network is not flexible and that is why one day it may break.