The short programs which lead to the teaching certificate are “added value” for teachers, estimates the office of Minister of Education Bernard Drainville, who adds that universities are resistant “to change”.
Quebec reacts to the comments made in The Press, Friday, by the deans of the faculties of education of the University of Montreal and Laval University. Ahlem Ammar and Anabelle Viau-Guay.
Both have closed the door to offering 30-credit training leading to the teaching certificate, a solution proposed by the Minister of Education to train more teachers, more quickly.
“There will always be resistance to change,” Florence Plourde, Bernard Drainville’s press secretary, reacted on Friday.
“Universities like TÉLUQ, the University of Sherbrooke or UQAT have already implemented short programs, notably 30-credit programs,” she adds.
The number of teachers who do not hold a teaching certificate is increasing in the province’s schools. These so-called “non-legally qualified” teachers often hold a baccalaureate in another subject, but must return to university if they want to obtain their certificate.
Bill 23 on education reform which was adopted in December will now allow students who have obtained 30 credits in the second cycle, rather than the usual 60 credits for the qualifying master’s degree, to access the patent. These shortened training courses were strongly criticized by teaching unions, but also by student teaching associations.
“These short programs end with a probationary internship, producing teachers of proven competence. Moreover, most of the students enrolled in these courses already teach in class, but without a certificate. These qualifying training courses bring added value to the teaching staff, in addition to helping to alleviate the shortage,” writes Florence Plourde.