Quebec to mandate formal ‘vous’ in schools for respect. Teachers say leave it to us
Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville has announced a new initiative to improve civility in the province’s schools. Students will now be required to address their teachers using a title, such as Mr. or Ms., and use the more formal and polite form of ‘you’ in French – ‘vous’ instead of ‘tu’. This move is aimed at instilling a sense of respect and decorum in the school environment.
In addition to this, schools will now have to formalize the value of respect in their codes of conduct, with parents being required to sign off on these codes to ensure they are aware of the expectations. Drainville emphasized that using ‘vous’ is a sign of respect towards adults and the institutions they represent. He believes that instilling these values in students is crucial in fostering a positive and respectful atmosphere in schools.
The announcement of this new measure coincided with the decision to implement a full ban on cellphones in schools starting next school year. The goal is to create a distraction-free environment that promotes better concentration and socialization among students.
However, not everyone is on board with the Minister’s initiative. Robert Green, a social sciences teacher at Westmount High School, expressed frustration with the decision, stating that teachers should have the autonomy to decide how they want to be addressed by their students. The Fédération des syndicats de l’enseignement (FSE-CSQ), a federation of teachers’ unions in the province, also believes that the use of titles and ‘vous’ should be left to the discretion of individual teachers.
A survey conducted by the FSE-CSQ last year revealed that most teachers do not believe that the use of ‘vous’ would effectively address the issue of incivility in schools. The survey found that 83% of teachers believe that incivility has increased in the past two years, with many experiencing disrespectful behavior on a daily basis.
Some teachers believe that addressing larger structural issues, such as class sizes, would be more effective in tackling incivility in schools. Steven Le Sueur, president of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers, expressed concerns about the enforcement of the new rules, stating that it could create additional work for teachers without proper support from parents, administration, and school boards.
Overall, while the intention behind Minister Drainville’s initiative is to promote respect and civility in schools, there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of these measures. It remains to be seen how these changes will be implemented and received within the school community.
