Quebec students returning to school this year are facing new guidelines post-winter break. Across elementary and high schools in the province, students are now mandated to use formal language when addressing teachers and staff. In the English school system, this entails using titles like Mr. or Ms., while in French-language schools, students are encouraged to use the more formal ‘vous’ instead of ‘tu.’
Schools are also required to incorporate the value of respect into their codes of conduct, with parents signing off on these guidelines. Katherine Korakakis, head of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec, supports this change, emphasizing its role in fostering respect among students, administrators, and teachers.
Julie Blais Comeau, a specialist in business etiquette, echoes the benefits of formal language in the classroom, highlighting its significance as a life skill. She notes that using ‘vous’ instead of ‘tu’ signifies respect, contextualizing interactions and behaviors within the school environment.
Meanwhile, Heidi Yetman, President of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT), acknowledges a rise in school violence since the pandemic. While emphasizing the importance of respect, Yetman doubts that enforcing formal language will effectively address the issue of violence, particularly among young children who struggle with emotional regulation.
Yetman advocates for additional resources to assist children with behavioral challenges, proposing the inclusion of behavioral technicians to support students in managing their emotions constructively. She underscores the need for more classroom support, especially for teachers dealing with students facing behavioral or learning difficulties.
Quebec Education Minister Sonia Lebel defends the new rule on formal language as a tool to enhance the school climate, akin to the successful implementation of the recent cellphone ban. She stresses the importance of school administrators exercising discretion in enforcing these regulations, considering individual circumstances to ensure a positive impact on the school environment.
Lebel also addresses concerns about potential confusion for young children regarding the use of ‘vous’ and respects teachers who may not identify with traditional titles like Mr. or Ms. She emphasizes the government’s commitment to tackling school violence through increased funding and staffing, acknowledging the ongoing challenges in this area.
