School support staff in Quebec continue to experience violence.
A survey by the ad hoc research firm, in collaboration with the Fédération du personnel de soutien scolaire (FPSS-CSQ), reveals this — adding that physical and other violence has increased this school year among those who experience it.
“This survey was carried out two years after the 2022 survey,” said Éric Pronovost, president of the FPSS-CSQ in a news release on Thursday. “The problem has not been resolved, despite the interventions of the Minister of Education.”
Among school support staff who report being victims of violence, 90 per cent identify students as a source of the incidents, making them the main cause of violence in the school environment.
A third of respondents blame students for physical attacks, while two-fifths of employees questioned accuse them of other forms of violence.
“Despite the presentation of the Violence and Bullying Prevention Plan in schools by Minister Drainville, nothing changes,” said Pronovost. “He invites us to a meeting on May 24 to discuss it, but actions must be put in place now in our schools and educational establishments to correct the situation.”
“We cannot tolerate this any longer,” he added in the news release.
The survey also reveals that parents of students and work colleagues are almost equally the second source of violence — 22 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively — the vast majority being non-physical.
The report adds that 70 per cent have experienced both types of violence, physical and other than physical. This was at 51 per cent in 2022.
“Several reasons can explain this surge of violence in our schools and establishments,” said Pronovost. “When there are fewer staff to provide direct services to students, it is not possible to do as much prevention as we would like and it is more difficult to intervene quickly.”
“Decision-makers also need to take the situation seriously,” he added. “We must stop saying that this is part of the “job” and refuse unacceptable situations, it must be zero tolerance.”
Over 5,100 people participated in the survey. It was carried out between Feb. 6 and March 22, 2024.