Francois Legault wants to see all Quebecers between the ages of four and 18 in school.
The Coalition Avenir Quebec leader revealed his plan to transform the province’s education system on Sunday at a symposium at the Université du Quebec in Trois-Rivieres. The event was organized by CAQ education critic Jean-Francois Roberge.
Legault said Quebec has to take drastic steps to reduce the province's high dropout rate.
Those would include making it impossible for those under the age of 18 to drop out of high school.
"You're not an adult until age 18 in Quebec. So I don't see why a 16-year-old can decide to drop out of school. It's a major life decision," said Legault.
The plan would make pre-kindergarten classes available to all children, not just those in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
He also wants to make school compulsory up to the age of 18.
Legault said he thinks the plan, which would cost $400 million over five years, would reduce the province’s dropout rate.
Several years ago Legault proposed altering high school hours so they would be from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., so as to accommodate the altered sleep patterns of adolescents.
With a file from The Canadian Press
