Toxic climate at Saint-Pascal-Baylon primary school in Côte-des-Neiges

Two teachers refused specialized workers access to their classes and created a toxic work climate at Saint-Pascal-Baylon primary school, in the Côte-des-Neiges borough, in Montreal.

A daily investigation The Duty reveals that these teachers prevented remedial teachers, special education technicians and speech therapists from entering their classroom to intervene with the students.

This information was confirmed to - by the Montreal School Services Center (CSSDM).

While denunciations are multiplying against the attitude of certain teachers and the establishment of a toxic climate in certain schools in the metropolis, even in the province, the existence of the National Student Protector, in office since last year but still little known to the public, is brought back to the forefront.

Hostile behavior towards colleagues and management

In addition to having refused access to their classes to specialized workers, these two teachers from Saint-Pascal-Baylon primary school also exhibited hostile behavior towards their colleagues and the school management.

One of them still works at that school, while the other is now believed to be teaching at the Bedford School, where a damning investigative report revealed that a group of teachers, among other things, resorted to violence physical and psychological towards certain students and refused to teach certain subjects.

The CSSDM has not confirmed whether this teacher is one of the eleven employees suspended following this affair. In a written statement, he assures that he is fully committed to collaborating with the ministry in all these steps to ensure sound governance and respect for the Quebec school training program in a healthy and safe climate.

Children with special needs should receive theminsisted the office of the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, in a statement sent by email.

The minister was clear last week in a letter sent to [directeurs généraux] of the [centres de services scolaires] : he expects that all denunciations will be treated with all the necessary seriousness and rigor.

Tongues are loosened

These most recent allegations are added to a list that has continued to grow since October as tongues are wagging about teachers who impose values ​​contrary to those promoted by the Quebec education program.

Since the actions committed by teachers at Bedford School came to light, the National Student Ombudsman has received between five and ten arrests, whether complaints or reports, on these [questions]-To be.

In interview at First the info on the waves of RDIthe national protector of the student, Jean-François Bernier, indicated thatbefore the Bedford event, we had not received any information to this effect.

I feel like people are discovering what the Student Protector does and what it can doobserved the spokesperson for the organization I protect my public schoolPatricia Clermont, in an interview with -.

This still young body gives them hope and leverage to express their concernsshe believes.

In office since the start of the 2023 school year, the National Student Ombudsman’s mandate is to independently defend the rights of students and parents.

He directs complainants to the right authorities and conducts investigations if necessary, at the end of which he can make recommendations to school service centers and school principals. It also has coercive power in cases of sexual violence.

During its first school year, the Public Protector received more than a thousand complaints and reports, half of which were deemed founded.

While his body is still becoming known to the public, Mr. Bernier invited parents and students to never hesitate to contact his team, recalling that each report is confidential. Don’t hesitate, we will guide youhe insists.

In the wake of the revelations about the Bedford school, he also recalled that its investigative powers are very important and invited parents and students to contact him with their reports.

However, Ms. Clermont admits that his action certainly has limits while people seek accountability.

The case of the Bedford school highlights administrative dysfunctions et, sometimes, there are principals who do not want to draw attention to their schoolshe emphasizes.

Several experts, parents and teachers also believe that the coercive power of a professional order of teachers would make it possible to more effectively resolve the problems raised by the Bedford school case and would force the teachers at fault to be held accountable.

Similar situations elsewhere

Three other educational establishments on the island of Montreal are involved in similar situations.

At La Voie secondary school, in Côte-des-Neiges, parents who are members of the governing board allegedly prevented the passage of an organization that provides education on sexual and gender diversity, according to the daily The Presse.

A teacher at Alphonse-Pesant primary school in Saint-Léonard is the target of allegations of religious indoctrination.

In the Saint-Michel district, Bienville primary school is also in the sights of the Ministry of Education.

With information from Gabrielle Proulx