In this 2023-2024 school year, I am on my 35the year of primary school education. This makes me an experienced teacher, a teacher who has been able to observe the changes that have marked the Quebec educational environment for more than three decades. During these years, I have lost none of my passion for everything related to the world of childhood and education. On the contrary, as the years pass, I experience a greater and deeper joy in working with children on a daily basis. I can honestly say that every child I have worked with has helped me become a better teacher and a better person.
There are teachers in every country in the world. Teaching children — but also adolescents and adults — is a fundamental reality of any society. Teaching is one of these actions – along with care for sick people and social services – which are at the origin of the humanization of societies. This is why it is important, in this week when we celebrate World Teachers’ Day (October 5), to reflect on the living and working conditions reserved for these women and men who have chose this demanding but absolutely essential profession.
Let us say it straight away, the living and working conditions of teachers around the world are extremely disparate. These range from atrocious conditions to conditions akin to those reserved for professionals whose work is recognized as valuable. The theme proposed this year by UNESCO is: “The teachers we need for the teaching we want, the global imperative to address the teacher shortage. »
The shortage of teachers is global, and its causes are all linked to poor salary conditions, poor working conditions, lack of political and social recognition and lack of protection and psychological support in the face of inherent difficulties. to the exercise of this profession.
But let’s ask ourselves the following question: what about the recognition that Quebec society grants to its teachers?
First of all, it is fair to say that between the 1930s, which saw the beginnings of teacher unionism, and today, remarkable progress has been made. This progress is largely linked to the improvement of the lot of women and the recognition of the value of their work. This is due to the fact that the majority of teachers at the primary and secondary levels are women. In this sense, work on pay equity between predominantly male and female jobs has, at least in part, borne fruit.
However, Quebec society has changed a lot over the last thirty years, and any lucid observer of the educational scene is able to see that teachers suffer from a lack of professional recognition and that they are not does not provide the means and conditions necessary for the accomplishment of their educational mission.
These are the main reasons for the current shortage of teachers; and the discouragement of those who try to continue their work despite everything. This is serious and damaging for the future of our society. Because at the end of the day, it is our children and adolescents who do not have the quality educational services to which they are entitled.
On a global scale, Quebec is one of the nations with considerable wealth. It is therefore unacceptable that, in such a society, high-quality and high-level public educational services are not offered to the entire population. Recently, our Prime Minister, Mr. François Legault, spoke of the need for courage in making certain controversial decisions. Let us remind him that true political courage consists of taking the necessary means to improve the lot of the population for which he is responsible.
Unfortunately, there is cause for concern when we see our Prime Minister ecstatic and gloating about giving a lot of public money to a big private company, as if that would save us, but having a sad face and acting stingy when it is about making efforts to avoid impoverishment and deterioration of the working conditions of its teachers — and other workers in its public service. You have to believe that you have the courage of your convictions.