‘We don’t need goalies in Quebec’: school staff sound alarm on classroom violence

An empty desk and chair is seen in front of a chalkboard in this undated file image. (Glasshouse Images / Getty Images)

Facing everything from punches and bites to sexual violence, Quebec’s support staff are calling on the new provincial government to address the growing problem of violence in schools.

There were nearly 30,000 acts of violence in schools last year, according to a report by the Federation of School Support Staff and based on data compiled from 47 school service centres and school boards.

That number has risen steadily for several years -- eight years ago, approximately 2,500 incidents were reported.

“This is urgent in Quebec,” said the union president Éric Pronovost during a press briefing in Quebec City on Monday. “It’s clear there is a real increase, a real trend.”

Pronovost said that with punches, bites and thrown projectiles in elementary schools, staff are now being encouraged to buy protective gear, such as arm and leg guards.

“We don’t need goalies in Quebec,” he said.

In high schools, he said, the violence is more “insidious,” including sexual violence and threats against staff and their families.

The rate of violence is likely even higher than the data show, said Heidi Yetman, president of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers

“Imagine if everybody reported every incident. That’s not happening. It’s inconsistent and sometimes inexistent,” she said.

Pronovost is urging the PQ government to inject an additional $28 million into schools starting this fall.

“I think there’s new money to be put into the school system,” he said.

The ask comes on the heels of an announcement last week that the newly-formed government would add that amount to tackle homelessness in the province.

Quebec previously announced a plan to combat violence and bullying in Quebec schools, but unions say now is the time to act.

“There were guides that were produced to help prevent violence towards school staff. But I think it needs to be more tangible,” said Matt Wilson, president os the Pearson Teachers’ Union.

Unions are calling on Joël Arseneau, the province’s new education minister, to solve the problem.

“Violence is the top issue right now in education. So, Minister Arseneau will have a lot of work to do,” said Yetman.

The PQ has promised to hold a forum on education within its first 100 days in office.

The FPSS-CSQ is calling in particular for the government to hire more staff.

With files from the Canadian Press