Since the start of the strike, some students have been deprived of three weeks of school, others, only a few days, and others… nothing at all. As ministerial exams approach, parents worry that not everyone will be equal at the starting line.
The Regroupement des committees de parents nationaux du Québec (RCPAQ) has been trying for several weeks to find out what will happen to the Ministry of Education exams scheduled for next January.
At primary level, for example, French and mathematics exams are on the program for 6 year old students.e year. As for the students of 4e and 5e secondary school, they have French and mathematics tests on the calendar, but also history, science and English.
However, at the moment, “we really have three speeds” in the education system, says Sylvain Martel, spokesperson for the RCPAQ.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The spokesperson for the Regroupement des committees de parents nationaux du Québec (RCPAQ), Sylvain Martel
So far, students whose teachers are affiliated with the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) have missed 14 days of school, those whose teachers are members of the Common Front have missed 4. Students from private schools n missed none (with the exception of a school in Montreal, where the teachers held a few days of strike).
In these circumstances, “are we really going to give an exam to all students in Quebec at the same time on the same subject?” », asks Sylvain Martel.
“We are looking at our options”: this is the response given by the office of the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, to this question.
A “blatant” divide
The Federation of Parents’ Committees of Quebec (FCPQ) is also concerned about this inequity between students. The difference between those in the private network and those in the public network is the “most blatant” divide between students at the moment, says its president.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The president of the Federation of Parents’ Committees of Quebec (FCPQ), Mélanie Laviolette
These are exams that count for more than home exams and they make it possible to upgrade the entire student population across Quebec. It has statistical value, we see what children have acquired in their learning.
Mélanie Laviolette, president of the Federation of Parents’ Committees of Quebec
For some students, “it is the continuation of schooling that is undermined, because it can close the door on certain study programs,” adds M.me The violet.
“For CEGEP, often, secondary 4 grades count. It’s important and I think that for some, it could impact perseverance if the program in which they wanted to study is not accessible,” says the president of the FCPQ.
Private school students systematically perform better than public school students in Ministry of Education exams. In June 2023, for example, the written French exam of 5e secondary school was passed by nearly 87% of students in the private network, compared to a 71% success rate among public students.
Some of these compulsory tests count for 50% of the final mark.
The national protector of the “limited” student in this context
Has the national student protector, Jean-François Bernier, received complaints from parents who consider that the current situation is unfair for their child?
Its spokesperson, Pier-Olivier Fortin, indicates that “the national student protector finds himself limited in the face of possible actions in this context”.
“In fact, the national protector and the regional student protectors do not have the mandate to intervene in matters of labor relations,” he continues. The protector does not reveal the nature of the complaints he receives.
All public schools in the province are closed this Monday. The Common Front has been on strike since Friday until December 14 inclusive. As for FAE teachers, their indefinite general strike that began on November 23 continues.