New plan for Montreal's Bedford Elementary School after report of teachers' toxic behaviour
CBC
Quebec has released a plan intended to improve teacher competency after reports of toxic behaviour at a Montreal elementary school.
The plan includes making legislative changes that would increase oversight of the province's teachers and ensure the province's schools are secular.
Bedford Elementary School was under investigation last year after 11 teachers were suspended for alleged toxic behaviour, including intimidating students and staff.
An investigation last year resulted in a 90-page government report looking at the teachers' level of competence, the effects of their behaviour on students and staff and the role religion may have played in their behaviour and the tensions at the school.
Jean-Pierre Aubin and Malika Habel were appointed by the provincial government as independent advisors to look into the situation and come up with recommendations.
In a 12-page document released Friday, the authors said the school must restore a healthy and safe learning environment, free of bullying and violence.
The authors stressed the quality of education and services should be improved in schools and the education ministry should address issues around culture and religious beliefs with school staff.
The document includes a list of recommendations, such as conducting a formal evaluation of teachers at the school every two years.
It also recommends evaluating changes to legislation that would prohibit "any religious demonstration or activity in the school, whether during or after school hours," as well as require French to be spoken by teachers on school grounds.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville said in a statement that he welcomes the proposals.
"The priority is the well-being of our students, and we'll be evaluating all options to achieve this," he said.
Drainville has already said he would look at revising the province's secularism laws.
Isabelle Gélinas, the head of the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal, which oversees the school, said the recommendations are in line with measures already in progress in the service centre's schools.
Aubin and Habel's mandate continues until Sept. 30.
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