Prohibition of swearing oaths and mobile phones enforcement in all educational institutions
Fresh, Unfiltered Take:
Quebec's Education Minister, Bernard Drainville, is pushing a new policy to strengthen civility and combat bullying by enforcing the use of formal language, such as "vous," in schools from January 2026. This move has sparked a wave of opinions – some supportive, others critical.
At a press conference, Minister Drainville articulated his stance, "Schools are for our children, and they suffer the brunt of bullying acts. As a parent and Minister of Education, I've got to act." He plans to implement a code of life in all Quebec schools, public and private, that will include politeness rules, like saying "thank you," and using "vous" and respectful titles when addressing teachers.
The teachers' union, the Fédération des syndicats de l'enseignement, has vocalized concerns, viewing this as an attack on their professional autonomy and a misplaced interference in the teacher-student dynamic. Melanie Hubert, its president, calls for better consultation with the community, criticizing the government's decision as a top-down, unadaptable solution.
However, the Fédération autonome de l'enseignement and the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec have taken a more positive stance. The latter believes this move will foster respect and good manners, while the former sees it as a chance to rekindle the connection between parents and schools.
To cement this new code of life, school directors will have the power to sanction students who disrespect it. Sanctions may range from writing apologies to doing community service. Parents will also be involved, expected to sign the code and participate in meetings when their child violates rules.
Quebec schools teetering on the brink of chaos can request help from an intervention team. Comprising retired school staff members, this team will evaluate schools' needs and propose solutions to address their issues. The government has allocated $2.3 million per year for this initiative, allowing for support in 46 schools annually.
In another move, Minister Drainville has announced a cell phone ban in schools, effective from fall 2025. This includes smartphones and any other mobile devices, intended to boost student success, social life, and minimize bullying issues stemming from screens.
Controversy and debate are nothing new in Quebec's educational sphere, particularly regarding secularism, language protection, and institutional neutrality. For instance, Bill 94 seeks to strengthen secularism in schools, mandating uncovered faces and banning religious symbols and practices. Meanwhile, Bill 96 faces challenges over its use of the notwithstanding clause, a constitutional circumvention mechanism.
This new policy, however, does not appear to have explicit links to ongoing controversies about formal language use or civility in schools. Yet, the emphasis on secularism, language protection, and institutional control suggests a larger context where formal norms and state-prescribed conduct remain sensitive topics in Quebec's education sector. For further insights into civility measures or language formality, localized reporting would be crucial.
- In Quebec, the Education Minister, Bernard Drainville, aspirates to enforce the use of formal language like "vous" in schools, starting from January 2026, as a part of a policy aiming to combat bullying and strengthen civility.
- The Fédération des syndicats de l'enseignement, the teachers' union, has expressed concerns about the policy, viewing it as an encroachment on professional autonomy and a misplaced intervention in the teacher-student dynamic.
- In contrast, both the Fédération autonome de l'enseignement and the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec have adopted a positive stance towards the policy, with the latter believing it will foster respect and good manners, and the former viewing it as an opportunity to reestablish the connection between parents and schools.
- While this policy might not be directly linked to ongoing controversies about formal language use or civility in schools, the focus on formal norms and state-prescribed conduct is reminiscent of the controversial issues surrounding secularism, language protection, and institutional control in Quebec's education sector, making localized reporting essential for further insights.
