Bill 40 Case Study on Educational changes

 
Bill 40 was announced on October 1st, 2019, by the education minister, Jean Roberge, and
looked to bring reforms in the education sector. It aims at depoliticizing schools and heightening
government control over schools in the province. The main issue in the bill is its proposal on the
removal of school boards in Quebec and replacing them with service centers (Lau). School
boards have been overseeing the education of elementary and secondary schools in the province
since 1845; hence the bill poses a drastic change in the system. Various stakeholders in the
education sector are accustomed to the previous order and therefore view the proposed changes
as unwelcome (Riga). According to the legislation, the service centers will comprise of
community members, volunteer parents, and school staff. The centers' mission will include
supporting schools and taking on administrative duties (Riga). Generally, Bill 40 has been
contentious, facing several objections from pertinent stakeholders besides rising several concerns
on its effectiveness. Although bill 40 aims at revolutionalizing the education sector, it has raised
several concerns, questions, and reactions on the appropriateness and practicality of the proposed
reforms.
Bill 40 Background
Surname 2
Bill 40 is founded on the need to reduce government spending by 45 million over four
years and depoliticize school systems. Along with getting rid of school boards, the bill suggests a
wide range of changes. It puts an end to school board-level elections for francophone schools'
administrations, excluding the English-language ones (Riga). The proposal, when implemented,
will drastically change the conditions for teachers. Besides, it compels towns and cities to
accommodate the real estate needs of learning institutions (Montpetit). The bill also changes
areas where students can take their children to school. Thus, the proposal will cause tremendous
alterations in the education system.
Reactions to Bill 40
Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) argues that Bill 40 is confusing,
convoluted, and complicated hence challenging to implement. The team reasons that there is no
indication that the education system requires reforms; therefore, the bill is uncalled for (Lau).
The government has not shown any dire needs that necessitate the suggested changes. As such,
the law could be following the wrong path. They fear that it could have minimal positive
impacts, and the reforms could instead work toward heightening the currently existing
inequalities between schools