QESBA congratulates new government and has high hopes that education will be a priority in this mandate

MONTRÉAL, April 8, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The president of the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) offered his congratulations to premier-elect Philippe Couillard this morning and pledged the full collaboration of Quebec's English public school network with the newly elected majority government.

"I am pleased, on behalf of QESBA, to offer congratulations to Philippe Couillard on his party's election last night. I would be remiss if I did not say that we are pleased that the provincial election is behind us so that the Québec government, our partner in education, can get back to work," said David C. D'Aoust, QESBA president.

"The 33-day election campaign held very little discussion on public education. Our school boards are ready to get back to work to strengthen public education in this province, reduce the student dropout rate and improve services to students with special needs and adults in vocational and general education. Our English school boards have a proud record on each of these priorities.

QESBA has always held productive exchanges with successive governments and we will continue to value this important relationship. We are, however, calling on the new premier Philippe Couillard to make a public statement calling for a summit on education.  It is time that we discuss education on a public stage; it is after all, the future of this province. The population has to understand the intricacies of our publicly funded institutions as well as locally elected school boards," concluded D'Aoust.

We are waiting for the new premier‑elect to show leadership in public education.

QESBA represents the nine English-language school boards in Québec.

SOURCE: Quebec English School Boards Association

Kim Hamilton, Interim Executive Director, Director of Communications and Special Projects, 514-919-3894