An expert warns that, alongside a return to class next week and an end to the teachers' strike, concrete and effective measures will be needed to help struggling young people and prevent them from dropping out of school.
As collective victims of the negotiations, young Quebecers attending public schools have missed between ten and more than twenty days of classes since November. Some of them will have been away from school for seven weeks, including the holidays.
“There are certain young people who will have a lot of difficulty catching up. They were already late before the strike,” emphasizes Égide Royer, psychologist and specialist in academic success.
Minister Bernard Drainville will present his academic catch-up plan next Tuesday.
Teach
It will be important for Mr. Royer to continue to expand the tutoring program that was started during the pandemic and, if necessary, improve it. “It’s like Tylenol for a fever,” he says, illustrating its positive effects.
The risk of dropping out is difficult to assess, but very real, warns the specialist. School management should check from the first days that “no young people have returned”.
“Take the context of a young person who is 15 years old. Things aren't going so well at school. He started working during the strike. The chances of him not coming back are increasing, that’s official.”
Particular attention must be paid to students who have learning delays or live in disadvantaged areas, says Égide Royer, who hopes that educational activities will be planned next summer.
In his opinion, the average child should do quite well, but parents need to be alert to any difficulties that may arise and teachers certainly need to focus their efforts on “essential knowledge.”
“Little Homo Sapiens adapts to all sorts of things.”
Young people with severe disabilities are the ones who are most concerned, he says.
Parents reassured
For its part, the Regroupement des Committees de Parents Nationaux du Québec was reassured by the consultation work carried out by the Ministry of Education with all stakeholders in the development of its plan.
“Our concern is that this does not apply everywhere in Quebec, as the problems vary from one school service center to another, from one school to another,” says spokesman Sylvain Martel.
“It is certain that the impact [d’avoir manqué de l’école] is not zero. Will it now leave any trace? I think everyone in the education community understands the challenge that lies ahead. Everyone has the same goal,” he adds.
In addition, Minister Drainville confirmed on Friday the postponement of the ministerial tests scheduled for January. They take place at the end of the month or at the beginning of February to allow students to prepare adequately.