Respect and Civility Take Center Stage in New Quebec School Rules
As students return to classrooms across Quebec following the holiday break, a new set of rules aimed at promoting respect and civility is now in effect, marking a significant shift in the province's educational landscape.
The measures, announced by the former Education Minister Bernard Drainville, were introduced in response to a concerning rise in violence and bullying in schools. The government's primary goal is to create safer, more respectful learning environments for both students and staff.
Formal Language Takes Center Stage
Public and private schools across Quebec are now required to implement updated codes of conduct, emphasizing respectful behavior and clear expectations for student interactions with teachers, staff, and classmates. One of the key changes is the introduction of formal language in classrooms.
Under the new rules, students are expected to address school staff using respectful titles such as 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.' In French-language schools, the formal 'vous' is now the standard when speaking to adults. Michael Gagliano, a resource teacher at Lester B. Pearson High School, sees this as a crucial step towards fostering respect.
"I think it's quite interesting when we start with something as simple as addressing someone as 'Sir' or 'Miss' or 'Vous.' It sets the lowest common denominator of respect, so if we're starting there, it tells you how far we've come and what teachers think," he said.
Gagliano also believes that these rules reinforce professionalism and the teacher-student dynamic, creating a clear divide between the youth and their elders.
"I think it reinforces that professionalism and that divide between the youth and the generations before them," Gagliano added.
Respect Beyond Titles
Gagliano emphasizes that respect goes beyond mere titles. He explains that while using respectful pronouns like 'Mr.' or 'Vous' shows deference, it should also come with a deeper understanding of the teacher's role in society.
"Yes, there is an authority aspect to it when you address someone with those pronouns, but there also needs to be a bit more authority in terms of our role in passing on information and knowledge. So, I think there is that level that has to be there," he said.
Students Embrace Formal Language
Students at Pearson High School seem to align with the new rules, as they already practice respect in their daily interactions.
"I think we should always aim for respect, and here at Pearson, we already use those terms to refer to our teachers and speak to them," said Adyson Miniaci, a Secondary 5 student. Miniaci believes that making the rule official could influence other schools and encourage positive change.
"By making something a law that you're not already used to, change can be challenging. This might make a difference for them and affect them in some way, but I think once they start doing it, they'll eventually get used to it," she said.
"I think that it's something that everybody should be doing already. And by making it a law, I'm sure it will start to happen, and everyone will begin to do it," Miniaci added.
Sonia De Michele, another Secondary 5 student, agrees that formal language can significantly impact the classroom atmosphere.
"Addressing teachers formally definitely gives a different feel to the classroom. Using 'Tu' and 'Vous' is much more respectful," she said.
Miniaci also acknowledges that while some students may feel less comfortable speaking to teachers, the overall effect is positive.
"A negative effect I think would be that students would feel less comfortable talking to their teachers. They would feel like there's less communication... A positive effect would be more respect all around. Teachers would feel more respected by the students with this law in place," she said.
Other Measures Target Bullying and Screen Use
The new codes also include basic standards of civility, such as using polite language, respecting school property, and behaving appropriately towards peers and staff. Consequences for breaking these rules vary, from warnings to suspension or expulsion, depending on the severity of the behavior.
Students may also be required to repair any harm caused through apology letters, community service, or participation in discussion circles. Each school principal decides on the appropriate sanctions.
These rules build upon Quebec's Plan to Prevent Violence and Bullying, launched in October 2023, and complement a province-wide ban on cellphones and other personal devices during school hours, aimed at reducing cyberbullying and social conflicts.
Miniaci notes that the ban is already making a positive impact.
"I think it does help... The biggest problem was people taking pictures and videos of each other without consent and having them posted. So, I haven't seen that happen at all with this new law, which is definitely a positive," Miniaci said.
