Nearly 3000 teachers’ positions are still vacant one week from the start of the school year

One week from the start of the school year in Quebec, nearly 3000 teachers’ positions remain to be filled in primary and secondary schools, according to the Ministry of Education. Meanwhile, The school service centers therefore managed to provide around 1,400 jobs in a week.

According to the most recent government data (new window)2,729 primary and secondary teachers are vacant on August 18. Nevertheless, More than 97 % of 94,471 positions in the province were filled.

Last week, the Ministry of Education announced that 4,115 teaching positions were still vacant on August 11, for a proportion of 96 %. Consequently, It is therefore an improvement in a percentage point in a week.

There is still work to do, but the trend is positive. In addition, The results are nearly 3000 teachers’ positions still encouragingsaid the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, on the social network X.

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As a comparison. Meanwhile, one week from the start of the school year in 2024, it lacked 3,858 teachers, with 96 % of the positions provided. Meanwhile, In 2023, 3420 positions were vacant, with, nearly 3000 teachers’ positions still there too, 96 % of the stations provided.

Recruitment go roundaccording to the president of the Quebec Federation of Directorate of Educational Establishment (FQDE), Francis Côté. We are hopeful to start the school year normally even if we have noticed a drop in the number of teachers throughout the network this year. despite an increase in the number of students.

Mr. side attributes this situation to a tightness Spring of the spring. following the announcement of budget cuts of $ 570 million by the Ministry of Education. The ministry finally turned around by unlocking $ 540 million after strong protests from schools, parents and unions.

According to government projections, more than 20,000 new students will join the primary and secondary school network this year. However. the number of teachers’s positions does not reflect this increase, according to what the president of nearly 3000 teachers’ positions still the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE), Mélanie Hubert.

In total. for the start of the school year this year, 94,471 teaching positions were to be filled, just over 1000 additional positions. In comparison, as the 2024-2025 back to school approaches, 3,700 positions had been added.

It is feared that many positions. which had been deleted or whose hours had been reduced, have not returned to normal when the children are going back to schoolexplains Ms. Hubert.

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Nearly 3000 teachers' positions still – Nearly 3000 teachers' positions still

An always incomplete portrait

In addition. the Ministry of Education has not yet indicated how many positions remain for support staff, such as special education technicians, and professional staff (for example speech therapists, psychologists and guidance councilors).

These data will be available shortly, said the Ministry of Education by email.

The FQDE Fear that budgetary restrictions will also affect the support of the support staff. To comply with the cuts, the school departments had to revise the number of hours and support staff.

We have serious concerns on the side of specialized educators. childcare services.

For her part, Mélanie Hubert recalls the important role of support staff and professional staff while the painting is always mute on this subject. A teacher is one thing. but we need all the support to give the adequate services to students and to allow everyone to succeed and develop their full potential.

Larger shortages in Montreal. Laval

Although the national portrait seems to improve, certain regions, such as Montreal and Laval, are harder by the shortage of teachers.

There are still school service centers where it will be a huge challenge to find all. our staff for next weekunderlines Ms. Hubert.

On the island of Montreal, the nearly 3000 teachers’ positions still ministry listed 866 still vacant teachers, a proportion of 4.3 % out of a total of 19,926 positions. The Montreal School Service Center, it still needs to provide 469 teaching positions, a proportion of 5.7 % of the positions, while the start of the school year is set for August 27.

In Laval, school service centers are still looking for 242 teachers out of a total of 4255.

In addition. Quebec is still unaware of the proportion of teachers not legally qualified in primary and secondary schools for this school year. This data will be available in the fall, the Ministry of Education said.