With two weeks to go before the start of the school year, more than 4,000 teaching positions remain unfilled in Quebec schools, according to Education Minister Bernard Drainville.
He mentioned that approximately 96 per cent of the positions had been filled as of Monday. This is an improvement over the last two years, the minister pointed out as he met with reporters at the National Assembly on Thursday.
“Two years ago, there were 8,500 positions left to fill. Last year, there were 6,000. Now, there are 4,000. Two years ago, 90 per cent of positions were filled, last year 94 per cent, and today 96 per cent of positions are filled,” said Drainville.
The minister indicated that 10 per cent of the teachers hired were uncertified. However, at least half of these uncertified individuals have a bachelor’s degree in one of the subjects taught at the school, such as French, English, history, or chemistry.
As for support staff, such as special education technicians, and professionals, such as speech therapists and remedial teachers, the number of positions to be filled remains unknown at this time.
Drainville assured that recruitment is continuing and that the figures will be released at the end of August.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
