Montreal schools get ready for first day of classes with dozens of teaching positions unfilled
On Thursday, Montreal's English school boards and French service centres joined forces to reassure parents that the school year will get off to a good start despite concerns that there are a lot of teaching positions unfilled.
"We all have the common goal to ensure that our students have a safe return to school," said Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) Council of Commissioners chair Judith Kelley. "That there are teachers in place for those students, that they have the best experience possible."
The Quebec Education Ministry said on Wednesday that more than 3,800 teaching positions remain unfilled across the province.
At the LBPSB, there are around 70 open positions for teachers, most of which are part-time.
English Montreal School Board chair Joe Ortona says the figures are a little higher at the EMSB.
"As of August 16th, it's 76 full-time regular posts, 112 replacement posts and 51 part-time posts," said Ortona.
Both English boards say they are confident that all schools will have a qualified teacher in every classroom by the first day of school, even if not all the posts are filled.
"While we are looking for people to fill those contract positions, we will certainly draw on our substitute teacher list, as we always do," said Kelley.
The board's confidence is not shared by the English Parents' Committee Association (EPCA).
EPCA president Katherine Korakakis said that when students see teachers changing throughout the year, it lowers the chances of educational success.
"We need to have consistency throughout the school year, and having one teacher there and then changing the gears and then changing again, that's a recipe for disaster," she said.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville has not said how many uncertified teachers will be in classrooms this year, but an update is expected in the coming days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A turbulent campaign nears its finale as Americans choose between Harris and Trump
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancour headed for its Election Day finale on Tuesday, as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.
New homeowners find skeleton in attic 15 years after previous occupant disappeared
Homeowners in France have discovered a skeleton in the attic of an outbuilding while undertaking renovation work.
Israel's Netanyahu dismisses defence minister in surprise announcement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his popular defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement.
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
'Extreme disregard for the safety of others': Lamborghini driver gets prison sentence for 2021 Toronto crash
A mortgage broker who totalled his Lamborghini and left a passenger with life-altering injuries after trying to pass a Toronto streetcar at nearly three times the speed limit has been handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.
'I’m not proud of it': Jason Kelce apologizes after video shows him spiking a cellphone after fan used a homophobic slur
Jason Kelce issued an apology during ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown' after a viral video captured a 'heated moment' between the retired Super Bowl champion and a fan over the weekend.
Harris and Trump tie in Dixville Notch midnight vote to kick off Election Day
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference.
Ukrainian troops have engaged with North Korean units for the 1st time in Russia, an official says
Ukrainian troops have for the first time engaged with North Korean units that were recently deployed to help Russia in the war with its neighbour, Ukraine's defence minister said Tuesday.