Quebec says 500,000 students will benefit from post-strike retention plan

About 150,000 students in thousands of schools in Quebec will receive tutoring services as part of a provincial government plan after prolonged public sector strikes.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville Last month, he unveiled a $300 million plan helping students make up for the time they miss after a few weeks.

The province offered an update on Wednesday, saying more than 2,501 to 500,000 Quebec students are benefiting from at least one program under the plan.

In addition to the 145,540 students receiving tutoring services, the province shared the following numbers:

• In 2010, educational support services are provided to 215,013 students in schools;
• 76,016 students with special needs participate in specialized educational activities in 1,639 schools;
• 24,514 immigrant or allophone students receive French language support services in 1,036 schools;
• 11,863 students participate in activities held in 473 schools during spring break;
• 28,578 students in 682 schools use other measures.

“I'm excited to see the positive response from schools and teachers, school staff and everyone who has reached out to help our students,” Drainville said in a news release.

“I would like to thank all educational organizations, as well as our partners, mobilized for the implementation of this plan. A special thank you to the teachers, school staff and school staff who answered the call.”

Major public sector unions reached tentative agreements with the provincial government just days before the new year.

One of those unions—the Federation of Autonomous Communities (FAE)—went on indefinite strike on November 23, closing 800 schools for 22 days and forcing nearly 368,000 students to stay home.

Other schools closed for 11 days over several weeks as teachers representing different bargaining blocs went on strike days of varying lengths.

Private school students did not miss classes at all.