QUEBEC, February 14, 2019. – The MNA for Saint-Laurent and Official Opposition Critic for Education, Higher Education and the Digital Strategy, Marwah Rizqy, offered comments today following the tabling of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Education Act and other provisions regarding preschool education services for students 4 years of age, which seeks to provide the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Mr. Jean-François Roberge with the ability to impose 4 year-old kindergarten throughout the province. The Minister has led the charge alone and is moving ahead without a clear plan. The education and daycare networks, as well as researchers and parents, do not support his vision.
Quebec is currently facing serious workforce shortages which are being especially felt in the education network. Schools are finding it nearly impossible to acquire the staff they need to meet their immediate and pressing needs. The Official Opposition Critic for Education and Higher Education, Ms. Marwah Rizqy, believes that the priority should be improving teachers’ working conditions and investing adequately to expand the already planned facilities.
Also recall that last December the minister commissioned a survey for school boards to determine how many schools were interested in a 4 year-old kindergarten class and how many teachers were available. However, getting the results is akin to impossible; it seems that when they differ from the minister’s wishes, he suppresses them.
It’s simple; the Premier had told us during the campaign that he would put his seat on the line for his universal 4 year-old kindergarten project. Clearly Minister Roberge is tabling a bill today to protect François Legault’s seat, even at the expense of children’s services and despite the crying needs of both parents and the networks.
–Marwah Rizqy, MNA for Saint-Laurent and Official Opposition Critic for Education, Higher Education and the Digital Strategy
