Just a few days before the start of the new school year in Quebec, Education Minister Bernard Drainville confirmed at a press conference on August 16 that 3,700 positions remain to be filled in the provincial school network. 

The government is convinced that this figure will continue to fall rapidly, and that the new assignment measure is largely responsible for these figures. 

New recruitment measures 

The Ministry says it has modernized the way it collects information. In the past, everything was done “by hand”, whereas now everything has been automated, making it more reliable with standardized definitions. 

The aim is to have qualified teachers who hold their certificates, which is why a number of incentives have been put in place. Several of these were negotiated when the collective agreement was renewed. The salary grid was reviewed. Mr. Drainville points out that a new teacher who starts at $65,000 will be paid $109,000 after 13 years.

In addition, classroom assistants will be added in half of the primary classes, representing between 14,000 and 15,000 people. A total of 5,400 new permanent contract positions have been created.

With regard to retired teachers, there has been an increase in their salary with no penalty on their pension plan and no contribution. Finally, students with a BAC can now pass their brevet with 30 credits. 

The subject inspired this week's poll question for the Neomedia team: 

Are you concerned about the lack of teachers in our schools? 

The answer choices were as follows: 

- Yes, the future of our children is at stake: 50%; 

- Yes, but I'm confident that all positions will be filled quickly: 12.5%; 

- No, they always find solutions: 25%;

- No, not at all: 25%. 

What's your opinion on the subject? Take the survey by clicking here.