2023-10-09 19:30:00
In 1998, the Minister of Education, Pauline Marois, opted for the merger of school boards. Their number went from 156 to 72.
At the time, the government predicted savings of up to $100 million. Today, on the contrary, we are far from certain that this was the case.
Error
On the ground, we then moved from an organization on a human scale to an organization where our existence is reduced to a number.
We lost efficiency and well-being when creating these enormous administrative structures.
In our small school district, it was easy to talk to the director of human resources. The school principal was not at the service of the organization, but at the service of his school. Decentralization was not a pipe dream. Kindness was more than a buzzword. We lived it.
Obsession
In 2014, it was Minister Bolduc’s turn to want to reduce the number of school boards from 72 to 46.
The idea remains the same: to make structures more efficient and save money. We want to grant more powers to schools, rather than to school boards.
This project was abandoned in 2015 by Minister Blais.
Centralisation
In 2020, it is Jean-François Roberge who fulfills the CAQ promise to abolish school boards. He justifies his decision using the same reasons as those of his predecessors. Like the rest of the story, his bill is nothing more than an “orphan” means which is not linked to any objective of improving success, and which, therefore, will not be subject to any formal evaluation. As proof, its reform is not part of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan of its ministry.
In 2023, it is Bernard Drainville’s turn to promise us an increase in efficiency.
For the first time in 25 years, he announces that decentralization is wishful thinking.
It remains to be seen whether he will have the humility to have his good ideas evaluated.
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