Students are increasingly attacking support staff in Quebec schools, according to a provincial union and they want the education minister to provide solutions as soon as possible.
At a press conference in Quebec City on Thursday, the Fédération du personnel de soutien scolaire (FPSS-CSQ) reported an increase in violence against its members – one of whom had to leave the school in an ambulance after being grabbed by the hair by a student.
According to data obtained by the FPSS-CSQ from 43 out of 72 school service centres, support staff suffered 13,464 acts of violence in 2023-2024 – a new record, according to the union.
Support workers include secretaries, special education technicians, supervisors, attendants for students with disabilities, daycare technicians and janitors.
FPSS-CSQ President Éric Pronovost noted that 35 out of 81 employment classes have experienced violence, and that over the past six years, 39,863 acts of violence have been reported by school support staff.
“This is the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
According to Pronovost, many workers don’t report the violence that they experience for many reasons, including because they believe that they can endure it, or doubt that it’s serious enough, etc.
However, everyone recognizes it at school.
“Violence is omnipresent in public discourse,” it has “taken a turn,” and this often translates into physical violence in schools, which creates “instability in the network,” said Pronovost.
He acknowledged the “slowness” of the Legault government in this matter and urged Education Minister Bernard Drainville to sit down immediately with his staff to find solutions to better protect school members.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews