LEARN Quebec tutoring program left out of ministry catchup plan
The English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec (Epcaquebec) is raising concerns after LEARN Quebec, a provincewide organization which provides online tutoring to English-speaking students, professional development for teachers and support for community learning centres in English public schools, was apparently left out of a $300-million post-strike catchup plan announced last week by Education Minister Bernard
Drainville.
Although most of the funding was earmarked for schools, through school boards and service centres, $42 million was set aside for organizations providing tutoring, literacy support or dropout prevention services. LEARN did not receive funding; the BCN asked ministry officials whether other organizations specific to the English-speaking community received funding, but that information wasn’t immediately available on Monday.
“A lot of English public schools cover vast areas and staying after school isn’t a possibility for all students due to transportation issues,” said EPCA president Katherine Korakakis. “Inperson learning is best, but if [online tutoring through] LEARN works, then they should get funding. … While acknowledging the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by students, EPCA Quebec expresses concern about the omission of established educational entities, such as Learn Quebec, which has a proven track record of offering services to the English-speaking communities.”
“Despite the government’s plan and media coverage indicating increased funding for homework-help organizations, LEARN, which has been providing tutoring services to the English-speaking community of Quebec for over 19 years, was not included in this initiative,” said LEARN communications manager Carolina Toteda. “If additional funds were made available, we would gladly accept them to support more families and students in need.”
Toteda said her organization has yet to discuss further funding with the ministry. LEARN offered more than 37,000 tutoring sessions in the past year and has been forced to cap registration for its online tutoring program.