As the back-to-school season kicks in, a recent survey conducted by Liaison Strategies sheds light on the top concerns gripping Canadians nationwide. Mental health and bullying have emerged as major worries among the populace, with an overwhelming majority expressing apprehension.
Out of the 1,000 Canadians polled, a striking 76% voiced their concerns about mental health issues, while 71% highlighted bullying as a pressing problem. Additionally, 74% of respondents flagged funding shortages in public schools as an area of worry.
Interestingly, a standout consensus of 81% favored the implementation of a cellphone ban during school hours. David Valentin, principal at Liaison Strategies, noted that this collective push for a ban reflects a desire for reduced distractions in classrooms.
Support for the cellphone ban is prevalent across the nation, with Quebec leading at 84% approval, especially among Canadians aged 65 and older. Alberta, although slightly less enthusiastic, still showed strong support at 75%.
The survey revealed a mixed response regarding other educational matters. Only 32% of participants supported transitioning to a four-day school week, with 47% against the idea and 21% undecided. Moreover, 39% expressed dissatisfaction with the level of instruction in Canada’s official languages, while just 45% of parents agreed on this issue.
Opinions were divided on the quality of local schools, with 45% rating them as “good” or “excellent” and 44% deeming them “fair” or “poor.” Liaison Strategies highlighted that parents tended to be more critical of local schools compared to non-parents.
The survey’s findings have a margin of error of ±3.09 percentage points, with results based on responses from participants 19 times out of 20.