Quebec’s decision to pause funding for immigrant and Indigenous student support raises concerns about their educational success and integration.
Quebec: So, it looks like Quebec has decided to hit the brakes on funding for support measures aimed at immigrant and Indigenous students. This news came straight from The Canadian Press.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that they’ve put a hold on measures designed to help these students succeed in school. They sent out a list of about 15 measures that are now on pause.
Some of the other projects that are getting the axe include youth climate change initiatives and programs to introduce high schoolers to how parliamentary democracy works. It’s a bummer, right?
Nicolas Prévost, who heads the Fédération québécoise des directions d’établissement d’enseignement, expressed his disappointment. He pointed out that this decision will directly impact students and their projects.
He mentioned that schools had plans to promote Quebec culture, and now those plans are just sitting on ice. For instance, in Laval, they used to organize trips to places like Quebec City and the National Assembly. Those experiences really helped new students feel welcomed.
Plus, the cut to support for Indigenous students, which funded activities to promote living together, will hit areas like Abitibi and Côte-Nord hard. It’s a tough situation.
On the bright side, a ministry spokesperson assured that any funding approved before December 13, 2024, will still be honored. But everything else is on hold for now.
As of mid-December, they had already approved nearly $20 million for Indigenous success, while about $19 million was spent in the previous year. For immigrant student support, they had allocated $2.1 million for the current year.
Interestingly, Corina Borri-Anadon, a professor at UQTR, found it surprising that these measures were paused. She emphasized how crucial these issues are for the future.
Last November, Quebec’s Auditor General pointed out that the Ministry of Education isn’t doing enough to support Indigenous students. She noted that these students often struggle when transitioning to schools in the Quebec network.
With the Legault government facing a massive $11 billion deficit, they’ve asked the education sector to tighten its budget by $200 million. Some schools have already started cutting back on food aid and cultural outings.
During a recent announcement, Premier François Legault insisted that he’s not cutting education budgets. He claimed that funding has been increasing, but it’s up to the schools to manage their budgets wisely.
But Prévost wasn’t buying it. He pointed out that it’s hard to believe there are no cuts when schools are facing real challenges. It’s frustrating to see progress being rolled back.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
