Before expanding the system, fix it

Re: “Legault galvanized by rivals’ objections to CAQ’s pre-K plan” (Montreal Gazette, Aug. 27)

François Legault says his party’s plan to offer free pre-kindergarten to four year-olds would help with the early diagnosis of learning difficulties, that a Coalition Avenir Québec government would provide funding in the hundreds of millions, and that more young people need to go into teaching.

I’m sorry, but it seems Legault is unfamiliar with the current condition of our public school system.

There are now many children who are not well served by the education system because “there is no money.” There are oversize classrooms without special needs support because “there is no money.” There are many young teachers without full workloads because, again, “there is no money” to open more classrooms.

Maybe political leaders need to spend some quality time in our schools, or at the very least sit with school officials and employees, to better understand the real needs.

The lack of funding is a heavy burden on teachers. We can only make do for so much longer. As a teacher, I find it heartbreaking that I cannot meet the needs of all my students.

Instead of making grand promises that sound great, those in power should study the current situation and work to improve it.

Alia Mikail, St-Laurent