We act in our respective countries to carry out a project to improve society through education. The success of each student is our common driving force and the foundation of a fairer society. However, this desire is often contradicted by phenomena of social and educational segregation, which penalize the success of students from the most disadvantaged social backgrounds.
Private education fuels school segregation
In France, private educational establishments, whether lucrative, religious, or both at the same time, build school separatism by attracting students from the most privileged fringe of the population. They thus contribute to the ghettoization of pupils from the poorest backgrounds: the self-segregation of some leads to the segregation of others, which results in school failure and withdrawal. The share of the private sector in education is progressing slowly in our two countries, especially in the big cities, notably in Paris and Montreal.
This situation might seem absurd, when two school systems are in competition, but one can select its students, and the other cannot. When one, public education, must accommodate all students, regardless of their special educational needs, cover the entire territory and integrate migrant children. And when the other system exercises a selection on the basis of the pupils’ academic results or the parents’ ability to pay, while receiving public resources without difficulty.
This distorted competition is exacerbated by bogus rankings that are based solely on exam pass rates, while the social project of quality public education must be broader than just a quantitative target.
A social mix essential for our democracies
Although in a different way, Quebec also faces challenges in terms of social diversity in schools. The problem of a three-speed school (public, selective and private special projects) is indeed real and also promotes school segregation. However, the social mix in the classes creates fertile ground for success. It also offers students a living environment that reflects the diversity of society and promotes living together. In short, it is beneficial for both individuals and society.
Our two labor organizations share common concerns, despite our two different companies. The increase in inequalities is a crucial issue in terms of equal opportunities and social justice. At the end of the day, it is the young people who pay the price, and all of us, collectively.
In this regard, education must support an ambitious and inclusive social project. This requires fighting with determination against the mechanisms that feed the social and educational segregation of children and adolescents, whatever form they take on both sides of the Atlantic.
Necessary and urgent measures
Our two organizations are alerting the public authorities, on both sides of the Atlantic, to the danger represented by this growing school segregation. It takes shape differently depending on our specific school contexts, but our two organizations agree on the need to act to rethink public policies in favor of greater social diversity for the benefit of the educational success of the greatest number.
For us, the success of all students is not a utopia. It is an achievable objective, which requires coordination of our efforts to effectively and positively influence public policies.