Mme la Première ministre : what happened to your promised meeting to public school funding?

MONTREAL, Sept. 11, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - QESBA President David D'Aoust renewed his urgent call on Premier Pauline Marois for a meeting to clarify her controversial statements on the role and performance of Quebec's school boards in delivering public education. "Our school boards are striving to maximize every shrinking dollar this government allots on services to the kids in our classrooms. We need to know that we have a partner, not a critic in the Premier," D'Aoust noted. "Last week, Mme Marois said she was very unhappy with our performance and would be convening a meeting. Well, we're still waiting."

D'Aoust noted that QESBA and its nine member school boards are eager for the opportunity to set the record straight on school board financing. "We're into a new school year, and we want to maintain our focus on supporting our teachers, on classroom and after-school activities. In order to do so, it's important that we clarify our working relationship with this government, and promptly."

QESBA made public last week a letter to the Premier, deploring her comments that school boards were trying to solve the financial challenges to public schooling "…on the backs of Quebec citizens".

"As an Association, we have to worry about the future for our students in light of the Premier's attitude, which suggests that she's grown out of touch with the realities of elementary, secondary and adult education in Quebec," D'Aoust concluded.

SOURCE: Quebec English School Boards Association

Kim Hamilton
Director of Communications and Special Projects
514-849-5900, ext.:225