Premier François Legault is directing his education minister to develop a strategy aimed at increasing respect and civic-mindedness in Quebec schools.
Legault made the announcement at the annual convention of the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) Commission de la relève in Saint-Hyacinthe, Montérégie, over the past weekend where some 150 delegates adopted several motions to encourage a “culture of civility” in the province’s schools.
“In recent years, we have sadly noted an increase in violence and lack of civility in schools,” CAQ Youth President Aurelie Diep said in a recent press release. “The Relève caquiste is therefore proposing a change of direction to bring back civic-mindedness into the classroom. This starts with restoring a sense of decorum.”
To do that, the commission is recommending the formal “vous” instead of “tu” be adopted in all educational institutions from nursery school onward.
The proposal also includes the implementation of mandatory uniforms in secondary schools and requires students who engage in violence and intimidation, along with their parents, to participate in training programs aimed at modifying their behaviour.
Legault described the latter proposal as a “good idea” during his speech at the convention, adding that a lack of respect for teachers is an ongoing issue “found in industrialized societies.”
He also took to social media to applaud the CAQ Commission Relève, which is made up of young adults across Quebec between the ages of 16 and 30.
“La Relève de la CAQ issued an important reminder last week,” Legault said in a Sept. 7 X post. “As Premier, I heard it. From now on, I am entrusting our Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, with the mandate to take action on good citizenship in schools.”
Drainville spoke at the convention via a pre-taped speech that the coalition called “inspiring.” He applauded the young people for being advocates for education and said he would consider their ideas.
“You’re going to shake us up a little bit, there’s nothing at stake, be daring,” he wrote in a social media post. “I’m not saying I’m going to agree with everything, but I like the idea of young people putting forward innovative ideas and new proposals.”
Diep described the youth coalition’s proposals as a push to deal with the “small minority of students who prevent everyone else from enjoying school.”
“Reprehensible behaviour too often goes unpunished, particularly due to the disengagement of parents who systematically defend their children, even when they are in the wrong,” she said. “Schools must therefore have the necessary powers to impose appropriate sanctions.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
