$41 million investment for students’ perseverance and 

To support student perseverance and educational success, the Quebec government, through the Regional Consultation Bodies (Instances régionales de concertation – IRC), will provide $41 million in financial support over the next three fiscal years, from 2020-2021 to 2022-2023. Education Minister Jean-François Roberge made the announcement on October 30. He was accompanied by Andrée Mayer-Périard, president of the Quebec Network for Educational Success (Réseau québécois pour la réussite éducative – RQRE).

Since 2015-2016, the Education Ministry has provided annual support to IRCs through the RQRE. The latter supports its members in their mission and mobilizes them in carrying out collective actions to help increase the graduation and qualification of young people.

New as of this year, financial assistance is not only enhanced, but is also granted over three years to enable IRCs to better plan for the long term. They will thus be better equipped to meet the needs of their clientele on an ongoing basis and to promote student perseverance and educational success.

It should also be noted that IRCs are present in all regions of Quebec. Their mission is to mobilize regional players and develop local partnerships to promote the conditions for educational success by, among other things, enhancing the value of reading. The mission and structure of each IRC is unique. They are adapted to the particular challenges of the region in which they operate. In the current context of the pandemic, where the needs are even greater, this assistance will greatly contribute to helping all our young people succeed. 

"It is essential to foster school perseverance and success among students from an early age,” said Minister Roberge. “We are also doing everything we can to ensure equal opportunities for educational success among the most vulnerable students, especially in the context of the pandemic. Because their success is the success of all of us, the Quebec government is pleased to confirm its financial commitment for the next three years. With the sums announced, we reiterate our support and confidence in the Regional Consultation Bodies. They will be able to pursue their long-term mission at the local and regional levels and even start new projects. We also applaud their concrete actions, which enable more students to get the support they need to succeed, while countering school dropout."

[Local Journalism Initiative]