Remedial teachers who work with disabled students integrated into so-called regular schools were informed this week that their service will be abolished, after 40 years of existence, learned The Press. A decision by the Montreal School Services Center (CSSDM) which arouses the indignation of teachers, but also of parents.
As of the next school year, the 22 remedial teachers of the Pedagogical Support Service for the Integration of Physically Handicapped Students (SSPI), who came to the aid of some 250 disabled students, will be reassigned.
For 40 years, these teachers have had the role of supporting students with disabilities who attend so-called regular schools. Each remedial teacher travels to several schools.
“We make the link with the therapists in the rehabilitation centers, the neuropsychologists and the parents. All this to reduce the gap between these students, who have a physical disability, and the others, ”says a teacher from this service who requested anonymity because she is not authorized to speak to the media.
Pupils will now have to rely on remedial teachers working in the schools where they attend.
” [Les orthopédagogues] are already over their heads. It means that our students, they will not have any, service, “continues the woman, who denounces a “wild” cut.
Parents whose children have taken advantage of this service are also worried about what will happen next.
Geneviève Leblanc has two sons who have worked with one of these resource teachers. Her youngest son has difficulty using his right hand.
“It gives him important individual support. The remedial teacher takes care of adapting his work schedule, she helps him with mathematics and French. She makes the necessary changes in class, if for example he has to sit closer to the teacher,” she explains.
The CSSDM’s decision is “undress Pierre to dress Paul”, believes Mme The White. “It must be really worrying for parents who have more severely disabled children,” she said.
A “decentralized” service, says the CSSDM
At the CSSDM, we refuse to reduce services for students with disabilities. “We don’t cut [le service]we are decentralizing it in the schools,” says Benoit Thomas, director of educational services.
He ensures that all students who benefited from hours with remedial teachers will have as many, if not more. “Our intention is to offer equitable, local and continuous service, five days a week,” continues Mr. Thomas.
The union representing teachers at this service center denounces a “mathematical decision”.
“What we understand is that we are going to get 20 remedial teachers. We have a shortage problem: here are 20 more that we are going to put elsewhere, ”said Catherine Beauvais-St-Pierre, president of the Alliance of teachers.
It is true that the teacher shortage affecting Quebec particularly affects the remedial education sector. The CSSDM seeks to fill many teaching positions in special education and appeals to candidates who are not legally qualified.
A source from the school community who is familiar with this service also describes his disbelief in the face of this decision and deplores the loss of “expertise” dear to schools and parents.
“It was direct support for students with disabilities,” she says.
Confused parents
The mother of a dyspraxic child testified to The Press that the closure of the service worries him. Her son is in 3e primary year and sees a remedial teacher two or three times a week.
“Progress is beginning to be felt. We wonder what services he will have next year, we are a little discouraged,” says Audrey, who prefers not to mention her surname so as not to identify her child.
Can we guarantee that a child who is currently benefiting from this service will have one next year, even in the context of a shortage of remedial teachers?
“Yes, we will analyze it,” replies Benoit Thomas, director of educational services at the CSSDM.
“We are going to support the school to provide a service to these children. Each situation will be assessed to meet the needs of the students. No one is going to lose service, ”assures Mr. Thomas.