‘Teachers to join Quebec protests’ - Gayo Lues

Quebec teachers will reportedly engage in student protests as differences with the provincial government over their demands still remain unsettled.

With talks over the teachers’ demands ending in failure, Quebec Premier Jean Charest’s plan to reopen universities in August to finish the postponed winter term could be undercut.

The teachers’ union has called on the government to employ a few hundred temporary teachers to help professors manage their workload during the intensive fall plan.

The union has also threatened to stop working if their demands are not met by the government.

“We’re ready to do our part in all of this,” Micheline Thibodeau, vice-president of the teachers’ federation said. “We’re just trying to provide the resources so that our students succeed.”

The autumn term is scheduled to be divided into two accelerated terms, one to finish the postponed winter term, followed by a second phase to cover the autumn term. The intensive schedule should be finished by Christmas.

Thibodeau said that under the work agreement, the teachers do not have to handle two terms in one. Therefore, the teachers may plan not to teach one of the two terms, she added.

Quebec has been gripped by student protests since mid February. The university students and student unions are furious about government’s announced plans to raise tuition fees by about 80 percent during a five-year period.

The controversial bill 78 passed in May to restrict student protests has also added fuel to the fire.

SAB/MA/AZ