The FCSQ and QESBA Congratulate and Offer Their Full Cooperation to the Newly Elected Government

Québec City, October 1, 2018 – The Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec (FCSQ) and the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) would like to congratulate all the candidates elected by the population today, particularly, the head of the Coalition Avenir Québec on his election as Premier of Québec. They are offering the new government full collaboration from elected school commissioners to discuss the numerous challenges that the public-school system faces.

“The government can count on elected commissioners to continue playing their role as vectors of equity and justice. Our mission is to monitor fair resource allocation among establishments and students to ensure everyone, regardless of socio-economic situation or where they live in Québec, has an equal chance of success,” said FCSQ President, Alain Fortier.

“The government needs local representatives to implement its major policy guidelines and anchor them to the needs and reality of their community. Further improving retention rates, free education, building and renovating schools, financial sustainability of the public-school system, and teacher shortages, are all challenges for which the school boards offer their knowledge and resources to the government, to achieve a common goal for all: success for the greatest number,” added QESBA President, Dan Lamoureux.

Elected school boards, added the presidents in one voice, act as a vital link with the community.

Mr. Fortier and Mr. Lamoureux look forward to meeting with the future Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports as soon as possible, to discuss these issues and continue mobilization on retention and education success.

The Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec (FCSQ) regroups most francophone school boards in Québec and the Commission scolaire du Littoral. The school boards are local governments monitoring the school success of over one million students, by ensuring educational services to elementary, high school, adult and vocational centres students. They also provide vital services, particularly in terms of human, material and financial services. Furthermore, school boards are responsible of ensuring fair resource allocation among their establishments and providing safe school transportation, at all times.

QESBA is the voice of English public education in Québec and represents 100,000 students in 340 elementary, high schools and adult and vocational centres across Québec.