2023-11-25 00:30:00
While 40% of Quebec schools are closed for an indefinite period, the demand for private tutoring services is on the rise, a reality which “exacerbates the inequities” of the school network, deplores a parent representative.
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In recent weeks, as the specter of an indefinite general strike became more and more real, the phones have been ringing more often than usual at several companies offering tutoring services.
“We had several parents who contacted us as soon as they started hearing regarding the strike and others who continue to call us since we are now talking regarding an indefinite strike. Many parents remember the impacts of COVID on their children and they do not want to relive the repercussions suffered during the pandemic,” says Audrey Cloutier, director at Tutorax.
As for the company La 2e Classe, we estimate the increase in the number of calls at around 50%. “Parents are worried,” says its co-founder Marilou Gravel. Many ask us if we can provide them with a lesson plan. We advise them instead to revise the most difficult concepts already covered in class.”
Listen to the interview with Bernard Drainville, Quebec Minister of Education via QUB radio:
At Tutorat Pro, its president, Kelly-Ann Lapointe, indicates that “parents are asking for a little more regular monitoring, one hour per day or every two days,” since schools are closed.
The director of School Success, Félix Morin, also notes “a marked increase over the past two weeks”, while emphasizing that the strike announcements also coincided with the delivery of the first report card.
All the companies contacted indicated that they still had availability for private tutoring, mainly offered by students.
A few teachers volunteered to offer their services during the strike, but no company was inundated with resumes, it says.
An “unfair” situation on several fronts
The situation worries the spokesperson for the Regroupement des committees de parents nationaux du Québec, Sylvain Martel.
Private tutoring services are not within the reach of all families, even less so in the current context when rates can vary from $35 to $55 per hour.
“It’s a great solution, but it’s not for everyone. We are exacerbating inequities, that’s for sure,” he says.
The inequities are also geographical, since 60% of students in the province whose teachers are represented by the Common Front have returned to class since Friday, following three days of strike.
The gaps are also reflected academically, since many students had not yet caught up with the delays caused by the pandemic. “The accumulation of delays will not be negligible. We forget that there are students who had 84% in mathematics before the pandemic, who are now barely at 62%. These will be penalized,” he laments.
Once once more, students from private schools, which are not affected by the strikes, are at an advantage “even though they are already two steps ahead,” underlines Mr. Martel.
“Inequities are likely to be even greater than during the pandemic. The pandemic affected everyone,” he says.
Isabelle Plante, a professor at UQAM who is interested in inequalities and academic success, for her part wants to put the situation into perspective. “Summer vacation is more damaging than a few weeks of strike,” she says, referring to the well-documented effects of the “summer slide” among students, particularly those who are in difficulty.
However, the delays will be greater if the conflict continues beyond three weeks, adds Ms. Plante.
Strike calendar
day by day
Mardi
Common Front Strike Day 1 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized? 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks. In schools, the Common Front represents support staff, professionals and 60% of teachers. In CEGEPs, 85% of teachers are affiliated with the Common Front via the CSN. In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees. Disruptions expected Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social services establishments. Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers. Planned events No major events are planned.
Wednesday
Common Front Strike Day 2 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized? 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks. In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support employees, professionals and 60% of teachers. In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees. Disruptions expected Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social services establishments. Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers. Planned events No major events are planned.
THURSDAY
Common Front Strike Day 3 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized? 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks. In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support employees, professionals and 60% of teachers. In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees. Disruptions expected Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social services establishments. Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers. Planned events Rally planned in front of the National Assembly of Quebec between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Demonstration from Collège Maisonneuve in Montreal starting at 10 a.m. FIQ strike Day 1 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized? The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists. Disruptions expected Picket lines in front of health and social services establishments. In the health network, the strike is governed by essential services. Some treatments will therefore be slowed down on certain units. It is also mandatory that 70% of operating services and 80% of services in subspecialized centers be maintained. Planned events No major events are planned. FAE general strike Unlimited
Details
Who is mobilized? The Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) represents 66,000 teachers located in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Estrie and Montérégie. This represents 40% of teachers. Disruptions to be expected Picket lines in front of schools Suspension of classes for an indefinite period in school service centers represented by the FAE. The return to class will only happen if the union reaches an agreement in principle or sees significant progress at the negotiating table. Planned events At 11:30 a.m., demonstration “for teachers and public schools” organized by the FAE at Jarry Park, in Montreal.
Friday
FIQ strike Day 2 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized? The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists. Disruptions expected Picket lines in front of health and social services establishments. In the health network, the strike is governed by essential services. Some treatments will therefore be slowed down on certain units. It is also mandatory that 70% of operating services and 80% of services in subspecialized centers be maintained. Planned events No major events are planned. FAE general strike Unlimited
Details
Who is mobilized? The Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) represents 66,000 teachers located in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Estrie and Montérégie. This represents 40% of teachers. Disruptions to be expected Picket lines in front of schools and CEGEPs Suspension of classes for an indefinite period in school service centers represented by the FAE. The return to class will only happen if the union reaches an agreement in principle or sees significant progress at the negotiating table. Planned events At 11:30 a.m., demonstration “for teachers and public schools” organized by the FAE at Jarry Park, in Montreal. SPGQ strike Day 2 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized? Some of the members of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (SPGQ), who represent 700 employees of ten CEGEPs, on strike on November 23 and 24. Disruptions to be expected Classes are canceled in these following establishments: Cégep André-Laurendeau, Cégep de Jonquière, Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Cégep de Lanaudière, Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Cégep de Thetford, Cégep de Trois-Rivières, Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne and Collège Montmorency. Planned events No major events are planned.
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