Couillard needs to follow through on his promises on education

The

April 7 election has given Quebecers a renewed sense of hope for this province’s future. The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), along with our nine member boards, have high expectations for this newly elected government in matters relating to funding of direct services to students, and student success.

The Quebec Liberal Party platform was clear in terms of its position on education. It promised to reduce bureaucratic costs at the ministry level, by remov- ing regional offices and reinvesting in our public-education system.

QESBA will remain steadfast in reminding the premier-elect of the importance he placed on education during his winning campaign.

Our association has always worked in close partnership with the ministry and plans on cultivating that relationship with premier-elect Philippe Couillard and his new education minister.

The English-language education system in Quebec is one of the most successful systems in the world. We are a privileged population as a result of dedicated and innovative staff members, as well as locally elected school boards.

QESBA, on behalf of its member boards, will continue to advocate and promote our English-language public-school system.

Over the last number of years, between sensationalist news stories and false representation of the numbers surrounding our system costs for the operation of our schools and adult centres, it is fair for our network to expect to sit and discuss with the premier-elect appropriate measures to enhance public education.

QESBA calls on our premier-elect to reconvene the Table Québec-Commissions scolaires before depositing a budget in the National Assembly and to hold talks with QESBA.

We are the leaders in education and we can offer the premier-elect a valuable portrait of an extremely important public-education system and changes that need to be considered to maintain this system.

Education is the cornerstone of any society and as such must be nurtured. To that end, we call on the premier-elect to consider a summit on public education in this mandate, with all partners, to examine adequate school-board funding, taxation, governance and the protection of temporary mil- itary exemptions as per the Charter of the French Language.

We need to ensure that students come first.

The nine member boards of QESBA are counting on this new government to work in partnership with us to help prepare our 100,000 students for a future in Quebec. Their success cannot and must not be compromised by additional financial burdens on existing budgets that have been eroded in recent years.

Mr. Premier, the ball is in your court.