Education Minister Michelle Courchesne has come under fire for proposing to change Quebec's school calendar to allow classes on the weekend -- a move that her opponents say is part of a deal with private Orthodox Jewish schools.
The Orthodox Jewish schools have traditionally made religious teaching a priority, instead of adhering to provincial curriculum standards.
Courchesne has said that the schools have now agreed to conform to teaching the basic subjects that are compulsory in Quebec schools.
She also said the goal of the calendar change is not to give preferential treatment to Orthodox Jewish schools, but rather to allow special projects to help dropouts who decide continue their education.
"It's not every weekend, it's not on a regular basis, but sometimes it's really useful and helpful," Courchesne said.
But the opposition and teachers' union have criticized the proposal, saying it could open the door to a return to denominational schools.
"Telling Quebec families we might go to school during Saturday or Sunday, it's a joke (…) We've seen for the past [few] days it is for the Jewish Community," said Francois Bonnardel of the ADQ.
Quebec schools have been divided along linguistic lines rather than denominational ones since 1998.
During Thursday's session in the National Assembly, Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois said Courchesne's proposal has created confusion.
Meanwhile, the teachers' unions were upset that they were not consulted prior to Courchesne's announcement.
The change would come into effect in September.
