Minister Jean-François Roberge unveiled on Tuesday a new version of the National Student Protector described as “more independent, faster and more efficient” than the mechanism in place at present, denounced almost unanimously in the network school.
This new education ombudsman and his representatives in all regions will be able to investigate private schools – and no longer just public schools – and will have to complete their procedures as quickly as possible.
The National Student Ombudsman will be appointed by the government for five-year terms, on the recommendation of the Minister of Education. Quebec will also choose the regional protectors of the student from a bank of people “declared suitable for being appointed to these functions by a selection committee. […] following the procedure established by the Minister ”.
Mr. Roberge assured that the Student Ombudsman will have all the independence required to conduct his investigations and make his recommendations, even if he will report to the government.
The Minister stressed that this new version represents a “decisive step in following up on the devastating report” of the Québec Ombudsman, who in 2017 denounced a series of shortcomings in the current Student Ombudsman. Three-quarters of parents who had resorted to this complaint mechanism had declared themselves dissatisfied, in particular because of its slowness: “One in five times, it took more than a year to process a complaint,” said Minister Roberge. .
Bill 9, which puts in place this new mechanism to protect students, will be studied in the parliamentary committee during the winter. This is an important electoral commitment of the Coalition d’avenir Québec (CAQ).
Further details will follow.
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