Quebec lacking upwards of 8,500 teachers as new school year looms | Globalnews.ca
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The start of the academic year is looming, but Quebec is missing close to 8,500 teachers in its classrooms across the province.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville confirmed the numbers Wednesday during a news conference in Quebec City on the situation.
The province is lacking 1,859 full-time teachers and 6,699 part-time teachers. The teacher shortage comes to a total of 8,558, according to Drainville.
“It’s a considerable challenge, I don’t have to tell you,” he told reporters. “Nor do I need to tell you that this is a reality for which there is no magic solution.”
Drainville said that while the shortage stood at about 5,300 at the same time in 2022, only 57 of 72 school service centres had responded to the ministry’s questions last year. This year, nearly all school service centres provided answers on how many positions remain unfilled.
In a message to parents, Drainville said he understands their concerns and that the government is working hard to fill staff positions as kids head back to school.
“The school teams are at work. The ministry is at work. The rest of us, as a team, are working very, very hard to ensure that we fill as many positions as possible between now and the start of the school year,” he said.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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