Quebec floats fast-tracking teacher certification to fill need in classrooms
There was cautious optimism among those working in Quebec's education system Thursday after the province said it would create a fast-track option for teacher certification.
"Maybe by creating that path, maybe we will be able to attract more teachers," said Education Minister Bernard Drainville at a news conference in Laval.
While it's not yet clear how it will work, many in the field say it's necessary.
"The test will come when we see exactly how Mr. Drainville intends to help the school system attain these new objectives," said Russell Copeman of the Quebec English School Boards Association.
Copeman said Drainville's goal to create a fast-track program to certify teachers is a step in the right direction.
"When you have such an acute shortage of teachers, when you have so many teachers who are not legally qualified in our system, there has to be a recognition that maybe there are other avenues," said Copeman.
Drainville estimates about 4,000 people who are not certified teachers are already teaching in the province's classrooms.
Currently, those who want to become a teacher in Quebec must complete a four-year program or a two-year master's degree.
A one-year program has existed in the past, said Heidi Yetman of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers.
"If you already have a degree or two or maybe a master's degree, and you'd like to teach in high school, and your degrees correspond to something in the high school curriculum, then what a great way to get people into the system," she said.
Some parents are concerned, however, that a faster program could result in less-qualified teachers.
"If it was that long before, there must have been a reason. So what are we compromising to get teachers faster in the classroom?" said Kathy Korakakis of the English Parents' Committee Association.
Some other items on Drainville's seven-point list include expanding access to specialized programs with concentrations such as arts and sports, as well as increasing options for learning trades. Drainville also said he wants the province to improving the way French is taught.
Copeman hopes English schools will be included.
"Historically, it's been hard for English school boards to obtain authorization to broaden programs, to increase programs," he said.
Providing more elementary school classrooms with teachers' aides from after-school programs is another one of the minister's goals.
There's already a pilot project in place.
"What we're hearing from the ground is this is much appreciated," said Yetman. "The fact that the minister of education is suggesting we could expand the project, I think, is a really good thing."
More money to build new schools is also likely to be announced in the provincial budget this spring, said Drainville.
The Liberal opposition criticized Drainville for not providing a detailed plan, and said the government isn’t serious about fixing the problems in schools.
"If we don't see in the next budget the money that we need to help the teachers so they can help the students, this doesn’t make any sense to us," said Liberal education ciritc Marwah Rizqy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.