Anglo groups tell Quebec not to meddle with school boards
English school board administrators warn committee that Bill 86 will complicate task of running schools
The Quebec government's proposed school board reform could jeopardize an anglophone school system that is already working well, a committee of MNAs was told on Tuesday.
The Coalition for the Future of English Education joined the Association of Administrators of English Schools at a hearing in Quebec City to warn the government against pushing ahead with Bill 86.
If passed, Bill 86 would abolish school board elections and councils of commissioners.
That would do more harm than good, according to Anglo groups. They argue the bill targets failures that don't exist in the English system.
English schools have lower drop-out rates and higher graduation grates than their French counterparts, said Richard Bourhis, a member of the Coalition for the Future of English Education
"We feel that this law is unsettling so many of the good practices that have been achieved so far in the system," he said.
Administrators, for their part, worry the bill will only add further responsibilities to their already demanding workload.
"We have more of us doing more work," said Jim Jordan, president of the Association of Administrators of English Schools.
"As your numbers shrink your finances diminish. It becomes harder and harder for us to do the excellent job that we've been able to do over the last number of years."
The hearings will continue Wednesday afternoon with an appearance by the Quebec English School Boards Association.
with files from Ryan Hicks