School ‘camps’ considered for students with learning difficulties

Fearing that too many students with learning difficulties are falling behind because of the COVID-19 quarantine, Quebec is exploring the possibility of having them attend “educational camps” for three weeks during the summer.

Participation in the “pedagogical camps” would be voluntary, but would be a good opportunity for at-risk students to review key parts of the curriculum with a teacher or other educational professionals, said Francis Bouchard, a spokesperson for Education Minister Jean-françois Roberge.

The organization of the camps would require the partial reopening of some school buildings, he said.

School boards were informed about the plans on Monday so they could begin to prepare in case the camps go ahead.

School boards would determine which students are eligible for the classes. Classes would be small and social distancing measures would be in place.

Public health officials would have to sign off on the plan.

Educational camps would be available for both elementary and secondary students in the greater Montreal and Joliette regions.

They would also be available for high school students across the province, but there wouldn’t be any formal exams.

School board officials declined to comment on the proposal because they have been summoned to a meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss the plan.

Some schools that offer specialized educational services to disabled students have already opened their doors after being closed since March 13.

About 35 of the 179 students who attend the Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton Schools in Notre-dame-de-grâce returned on Monday. Many of the students have developmental, intellectual, auditory or visual impairment.

Some parents decided to keep their children at home because they were comfortable with online learning, while others thought it was too much of a transition to send children back to school for just a few weeks, said vice-principal Greg Watson.