Parents.Quebec: Empowering parents to help their children succeed
On February 5, the English Parents’ Committee Association (EPCA) and the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec (FCPQ) announced the launch of the Parents.Quebec website, a joint initiative that will act as a single hub of resources for parents of school-aged children. This is a complement to the Open School government platform launched last spring, intended for parents who wish to help in their child’s educational success. Beyond its pedagogical value, this new tool will allow parents to find the right resources in just one click, based on their region and the specific needs and age of the child.
The EPCA strongly believes that parental engagement from a child’s first days at school is a powerful lever for improving academic performance. “This very relevant and helpful tool will fill a void that has long been a source of frustration for parents who often do not know where to turn when they want to support their children,” said EPCA President Katherine Korakakis.
For several years now, the EPCA and FCPQ have wanted to boost support for parents and gather the resources available to them. Together, they took the initiative to bring this shared vision to life and, with the support of the Québec Government, created the Parents.Quebec website.
“While Parents.Quebec is being launched during the pandemic, it is the result of many years of hard work, developed partnerships and repeated requests from parents,” explained Kevin Roy, President of the FCPQ. “The daily lives of families have been turned upside down since last March, and the situation shows more than ever the importance of having a tool that answers parents’ questions and helps them find resources commensurate to their needs.”
“Each day, Québec parents play a key role in the development and success of their children, and the support of the Québec government to Parents.Quebec demonstrates their importance and the recognition we give them. Since the beginning of the pandemic, parents have shown incredible strength and resilience by juggling school and work at home, and their requests for help have been heard. This tool will become a valuable reference to answer their questions. Parents.Quebec is the latest addition to the list of resources and concrete means available to promote student success,” said Education Minister Jean-François Roberge.
A second phase of the project is under development and will be announced in the coming months. It will also be possible to access Parents.Quebec via the Open School website.
--About the English Parents’ Committee Association (EPCA)
The EPCA is the official voice of Parent Committees from English language public school boards in Québec, promoting their rights, defending their interests, and lobbying for questions that concern them. It is a non profit association funded by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The EPCA advocates for public education in English in Québec, and champions the role of parents in their child’s education – both at home and at school.
[Local Journalism Initiative]