Public school or private school: each has its strengths and weaknesses
Each model, whether we are talking about public school or private school, has its share of strengths and weaknesses. On the private school side, for example, a researcher from the Institute for Socioeconomic Research and Information (IRIS), Philippe Hurteau , indicated in 2017 that nearly 40% of students enrolled in Quebec secondary school study outside the system. regular audience, and that inequalities are growing. To demonstrate this, still in 2017, it was noted that 72% of students attending private schools come from an advantaged background, compared to 7% from a disadvantaged background.
The researcher also demonstrates that since 2012, private spending on primary and secondary education, as a % of total spending, has been declining. According to Philippe Hurteau : “the decline observed from 2011-2012 is perhaps explained by the development of specific project programs in public schools in order precisely to compete with private schools on their own territory”.
The challenges for a private school
One of the strengths of the private school is the academic supervision, affirms the director of the Externat St-Jean-Berchmans and spokesperson for the Federation of private education establishments in the region of Quebec, Mr. Alain Roy.
Quality of teaching also means the involvement of teachers, the involvement of staff, of the daycare service. The opening of the school too. Often our schools are open after school.
Externat St-Jean-Berchmans, school where Mr. Alain Roy is the director. Source: St-Jean-Berchmans Day School
Nevertheless, the director of the school tells us all the same that it is more favorable for a child, having parents from the private sector, to be registered in a private school.
Public school: the school that accepts everyone
The side that emerges from the public school is that it cannot make a selection, or almost, to integrate regular classes and even certain Sport Etudes programs. Moreover, the programs of Sport Étude are one of the strengths of the public against the private now, a way to stand out. According to the president of the Association québécoise du personnel de direction des écoles (AQPDE) , Carl Ouellet, “in public schools, I cannot make a selection. Even for a sports-study program, for example. If a young person shows interest, but is having difficulty at school, it is clear that we will tell him that it is not recommended, because he may have trouble following. However, if he wants to do it, we can take him”.
Logo of the Association of School Management Staff (AQPDE) Source: AQPDE
One of the great advantages of public schools, according to the president, is also the accessibility of the services offered to the public: “One of the motivations for going to the public is that all the services are there. We offer homework help, remedial education and many more. That in private if a young person needs speech therapy, for example, you have to go outside”.
Mr. Ouellet is also proud to say that one of the developments that has been successful in public schools are the programs that some schools now offer, such as Sport Étude or MYP programs: “we needed these programs in the schools to get young people, otherwise many of his young people would surely be in the private sector today”.
