Posted at 1:00 p.m.
The Federation of Private Education Establishments recognizes the relevance of thinking collectively and exploring various strategies to increase equality of opportunity in education.
However, from the outset, it should be noted that certain statements put forward by the École ensemble collective are false. Quebec is not the most unequal province in terms of education, as a study by UQAM’s Human Capital Research Group clearly demonstrated in 2021. It is also not the province where there is the highest proportion of students attending private school (this is British Columbia, according to Statistics Canada). But beyond these details, École ensemble has the merit of having put on the table a bold proposal that contains interesting lines of thought.
Over the past 15 years, private schools have set themselves the goal of making more room for students experiencing academic difficulties. Today, 22% of students who attend a regular private school have an intervention plan following diagnoses of handicaps, learning disabilities or adaptation. These students succeed in our schools and are happy there. We welcome any discussion to do more.
The Federation supports the idea of offering special programs or concentrations to all students, including those who are experiencing difficulties. The majority of private secondary schools have already adopted this formula, and the results are conclusive.
We observe that access to different programs and different options supports the motivation and sense of belonging of these students, without harming their academic results. We would be happy to share the different models put in place to support this approach.
Alongside these efforts, various initiatives have been implemented to develop educational differentiation, so that each student receives the support and stimulation they need to succeed and thrive. The private school stands out for its innovation in education and contributes to the improvement of our education system. Moreover, many of our teachers share their expertise at various educational conferences and summits, for the benefit of all Quebec schools.
The Federation also believes that it would be relevant to think about solutions so that tuition fees are not an obstacle to attendance at the school or program of their choice for young people from less privileged families. Currently, approximately 7,000 young people receive financial assistance to attend private school. Despite the colossal efforts made by the school teams and the foundations, we are well aware that this remains insufficient from the perspective of equal opportunities.
Moreover, the Federation believes that the idea of assigning a school to a student based on their postal code, rather than based on their needs and areas of interest, is a bad idea.
Some students benefit from attending a small school where everyone knows each other, while others thrive more in a large school with a wide choice of options or activities. Some need more coaching, while others need more autonomy to persevere. Some families face significant work-family balance constraints and must have access to schedules and services adapted to their reality.
We firmly believe that offering a choice of school to Quebec families is an advantage for the success and perseverance of our children. In short, the same school for all may not be the right school for many.
We should quickly mention that the economic analysis presented by École ensemble underestimates many costs related to its plan. For example, it is unthinkable that 50% of parents who send their child to private school can continue to do so if the fees amount to $11,000 per year, which is the real cost to educate a student. In addition, the analysis does not take into account the costs associated with private school buildings which, in some cases, are heritage buildings that require major work. Far from generating savings, this plan would entail significant costs for the State. Would these funds not be better invested in supporting students in difficulty and those who come from underprivileged backgrounds?
But beyond questions of money, the big losers would be Quebec families who would no longer have the possibility of choosing the school that best meets the needs of their children. Both the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights protect this fundamental right. Let us ensure that this right is more accessible to all, rather than limiting it.