Recourse in the event of non-compliance with the Education Act : why is it necessary?
Dear parents,
Two weeks ago, I presented the recommendations of the FCPQ and its member parents’ committees on Bill 94, which aims to reinforce laicity in the education network and amend various legislative provisions. One of these recommendations is a request we’ve been making for several years, specifically the need to add a recourse mechanism in the event of non-compliance with the Education Act.
Why is this mechanism necessary?
Because knowledge of the Education Act and respect for the role of involved parents is deteriorating. That’s what our communications with our members and with involved parents across Quebec have been telling us for the past few years. Here are some comments from parents from our latest school governance review:
“The school seems to want to keep parents at bay.”
“Parents aren’t listened to, they don’t dare bring up their concerns or points because they feel belittled, intimidated and feel like a bother.”
“It feels like we’re being asked to agree to projects and decisions, but when it comes time to implement them, parents’ input is often ignored.”
And yet, research shows that parents can have a real positive influence on student success by getting involved in school decision-making.
There is no recourse or arbitration available when the measures in the Education Act designed to ensure the proper functioning of our decision-making instances are not respected. This is a shortcoming that committed parents have identified, which is why we are calling for an independent recourse mechanism.
Adopt vs Approve
I’d also like to point out that, during our intervention in committee, we had an exchange with the Minister of Education concerning the authority to adopt vs. approve in Governing Boards. The Minister showed great interest, and we’re hopeful that Governing Boards will have more adoption powers in the future. To find out more about our demands in relation to PL94 and school governance, I invite you to watch our committee presentation or consult our brief.
Cell phones banned at school
You may have seen in the media that students will no longer be allowed to have their cell phones during classes, in the school or on the playground. Let me share with you that this recommendation was made public while we were at the National Assembly, five minutes before the start of the committee on PL94. I took the opportunity to comment on the news to the journalists covering Parliament Hill.
Last week, the Minister of Education confirmed that cell phones would be banned, except for pedagogical, health or special needs reasons, as of the start of the 2025 school year. It will be essential for Governing Boards to be involved and decide on the terms of application to take into account the reality of their environment. Students and parents must be informed and involved in identifying the issues and solutions to ensure that the new policies are realistic and acceptable.
Celebrating parents
I mentioned that the role of involved parents is not always known, nor respected. That’s why the FCPQ launched National Parental Involvement Week in 2022, to value and celebrate parents who are actively involved in the school environment. The fourth edition will be held from June 1 to 7, and the entire team is hard at work preparing for the Week and the National Activity that will precede it on May 31!
If you can’t make it to Quebec City for the event, I encourage you to get together in your corner of the province and tune in to watch the conferences and take part in the recognition gala. It’s a great way to celebrate the work accomplished this year by our parent volunteers.
Whether you’re participating in the National Activity or not, you’re invited to celebrate National Parental Involvement Week by organizing an event in your community, or by sharing the activity suggestions available on our website.
We look forward to seeing you on May 31!
Mélanie Laviolette
President