COVID-19 Pandemic

Updated Education Plan: Important measures to keep our schools open 

Two days after the Québec Premier announced new health measures and new confinement rules, Jean-François Roberge, Québec's Minister of Education, announced a series of new educational and health measures to ensure a return to school in the safest possible conditions on January 11 and 18. This updated plan will provide students and staff with all the support they need to continue the school year.

--Implementation of a tutoring program and additional measures for academic success and mental health

First, to further support students experiencing academic difficulties, the government is announcing the launch of various tutoring programs that will begin in late January. Through the "Répondez present" platform, a bank of tutors will be established and a call will be made to volunteer school service centre staff, education retirees and college and university students to support students in need. Teachers will be able to refer their students to these free services. Educational forums accessible to students, seven days a week, will also be organized in collaboration with partner organizations.

In addition, a mobile application will be created allowing young people to access numerous resources, testimonials, videos, etc. This initiative, in collaboration with partner organizations, aims to provide more psychosocial support and strengthen the safety net needed to help students reach their full potential. In addition, spaces for exchange on themes that meet the needs of youth will be set up to help break isolation and offer avenues for stress management. A messaging service (chat) accessible throughout Québec will also be provided by moderators and facilitators.

--Cancellation of ministerial exams and postponement of first report card

As announced last fall, the current school year will have only two terms instead of three. In addition, given the situation, the production of the first report card, scheduled for January 22, can be postponed until February 5 if necessary. Also, as requested by several stakeholders, the weighting of the report cards will be changed so that the first report card will have less importance. A new clear guide summarizing the essential knowledge that must be taught is also being produced by the Ministry and will be made available to teachers by the end of January. Under these circumstances, the ministerial exams at the primary and secondary levels are cancelled for the 2020-2021 school year.

--Distance learning: computer equipment for all

Mr. Roberge confirmed that all school service centres have enough computer equipment to meet the needs of elementary and secondary students who do not have equipment at home. Thanks to orders placed since last June, as well as the new ministerial reserve of computer equipment, put in place at the request of the Minister of Education, all students will have access to adequate computer equipment to pursue their distance learning.

--Strengthened health measures

These new educational and psychosocial support measures will be complemented by additional health measures to minimize the spread of the virus in our schools. For example, upon returning to school, the wearing of face coverings will be mandatory in class for all students in grades 5 and 6. Pupils in the 1st and 2nd cycles of elementary school will have to wear the face cover when travelling indoors, in all common areas and on school transportation. In addition, all secondary school, vocational training and general adult education students will be required to wear a procedural mask rather than a regular face covering. These masks will be provided at a rate of two per day.

Finally, in order to ensure rigorous control of air quality in schools, tests were conducted in December to measure the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 330 school buildings. The results obtained show optimal results, below the objective of 1,000 ppt of CO2, in the vast majority of the classes tested. However, immediate action will be required for approximately 3% of the premises tested. In addition, the school service centres and school boards will have to conduct air quality tests in all the establishments in the school network, now and every year, to ensure compliance. Rapid interventions will also be made when necessary, in accordance with the new recommendations issued by public health authorities following the report of the group of scientific and technical experts, coordinated by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. Experts who are members of a professional order and designated by a multipartite government committee (made up of the MEQ- MSSS- CNESST) will be dedicated and called upon.

[Local journalism initiative]