Quebec Schools News Today

The government directive requires that all new bathrooms and locker rooms in schools across the province be designated for either boys or girls.

The directive, which aims to reduce distractions in class, will apply to public elementary and secondary schools, but it offers teachers flexibility to allow certain exceptions.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville's office confirmed the decision via an emailed statement, saying the new schedule will be announced at a later date.

A union representing 35,000 school support workers says more than half of its members are having trouble paying their bills, according to a new survey,

Bernard Drainville said he objects to mixed-gender bathrooms on the basis of privacy, adding that boys could tease girls who are going through puberty.

The education ministry in Quebec says there are still 217 regular full-time and 1,114 part-time teaching jobs to fill in schools across the province.

The publication of the letter resulted in abusive, defamatory and threatening comments, according to the director of legal affairs and communications for the school district.

Last week, Quebec's education minister said that at last count there were at least 8,558 vacant teaching positions, including 1,859 full-time and 6,699 part-time.

A spring survey of 7,000 teachers conducted by a federation of 34 teacher unions found that 92 per cent of respondents were in favour of such a measure.

Quebec is short 1,859 full-time teachers and 6,699 part-time teachers. The teacher shortage comes to a total of 8,558, according to the province's education minister.