Without the urgent establishment of a daycare center at UQAM with the help of future teachers who are themselves affected by the strike, student parents would not be able to attend classes or write their final theses.
“If we didn’t have this emergency service, we wouldn’t make it,” says Max Boutin, father of little Gabriel, 5 years old.
He and his partner are currently writing their doctoral thesis on the study and practice of the arts. Without the UQAM daycare center, it would be much more difficult for her to pursue her thesis while also caring for Gabriel, whose school is closed due to the strike.
Max Boutin, doctoral student, with his son Gabriel, 5 years old. Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
The UQAM daycare center existed before the strike to serve student parents, but it did not accommodate school-age children except in the evenings and weekends.
With the outbreak of the indefinite general strike by the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE), many parents' mouths are watering.
This is even more true for student parents, whose reality often does not match the rigidity of assignments, exams and other demands of the school world, explains Annie Noël de Tilly, general coordinator of the Student Support Committee. UQAM Student Parents.
Win-win situation
Within a week, the service expanded to accommodate 24 additional children ages 6 to 11 during the day for a cost of $14.
Six student teachers come to organize DIY activities, trips to the park or to the gym with the young people.
This is a win-win partnership that allows these future teachers to fill the gap left by the school strike that interrupted their internship or substitute opportunities.
“There are parents who have no other solution. They tell us: I don't know what I would have done without it. I would have skipped class,” says Aurégan Damourette, a special education student.
This is the case of Olena Hrygorieva and Roman Stolbukhov, who arrived from Ukraine about eight months ago with their little Nazar, seven years old. They take French courses at UQAM, a program that has little tolerance for absenteeism.
Roman Stolbukhov and Olena Hryhorieva with their little Nazar, 7 years old. Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“Thank you! Thank you”
Despite her rudimentary language skills, Ms. Hryhorieva manages to convey her gratitude to the daycare center.
“For us it’s wow! “Thank you very much, thank you very much,” she said, pretending to tremble.
This also applies to Sherley Clermont, a single mother who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in administration. “Financially it costs me [de l’argent]but at least I have peace of mind.”
“Parents tell us: Oh my God, you are saving us,” summarizes Tatiana Nassif, a primary and preschool student.
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