Teachers from Quebec’s Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) gathered outside Education Minister Sonia Lebel’s Montreal office on Thursday to protest recent education budget cuts. Protesters displayed signs highlighting the impact of these cuts, from reduced tools for vocational training to cuts in school concerts and transportation services for students.
The protesters also raised concerns about the closure of francisation groups, which would result in students being redistributed to other classes, and the reduction of translation services for parents who do not speak French or English during parent-teacher conferences.
The teachers’ union representatives emphasized that these budget reductions are causing schools to slash essential supplies, reduce support staff, and scale back adapted transportation services, putting a strain on public schools.
The rally comes after a period of growing public unease over education funding. Earlier cuts announced by former Education Minister Bernard Drainville sparked demonstrations by parents and teachers over the summer. While Drainville partially reversed the cuts in July with reinvestments of $540 million, school service centers had to adhere to staffing caps to access these funds.
In a recent development, Minister Lebel lifted the hiring freeze imposed by her predecessor, allowing school service centers to manage their resources as long as budgets are maintained. The government also plans to reform union funding, giving members more control over dues allocation and mandating annual consultations on fund usage.
To receive reinvestment funds, school service centers must submit approved budgets to the Ministry by October 30, as part of the government’s efforts to stabilize and improve the education system.
