Quebec parents protest school's forced choice between sports and advanced academics

Quebec's education minister is asking a high school in the Charlevoix region to reconsider its decision to force students to choose between sports-oriented programs and advanced math and science.

Bernard Drainville's office said in a statement Tuesday that he has heard complaints from parents and citizens, and he wants the school in La Malbaie, Que., to find another solution.

The statement said he is asking the local school service centre and the school's governing board to make a proposal "that will achieve greater consensus."

Isabelle Bolduc, the chairperson of École Secondaire du Plateau's governing board, resigned after the body voted nine to eight on Monday to prevent Grade 10 and 11 students who take enriched academics from participating in the sports or cultural streams offered by the school, starting next fall.

The school offers several streams, or concentrations, which allow students to spend three half-days out of nine focused on specialties including hockey, soccer, music or cheerleading.

Bolduc said teachers thought it was too difficult to co-ordinate the schedules of students who took both sports and advanced math and science. But she said it's unfair to make teens choose between academic achievement and other passions.

"It's a choice they don't want to make and, I feel, they shouldn't have to make," she said in a phone interview. While part of her opposition comes from the fact that students and parents were given little notice of the potential change, she also believes that learning to manage different priorities will help the students develop discipline, perseverance and work-life balance.

"There's really something in it I find important," she said.

Drainville's office said special pedagogical programs, such as those in place at the school, are a priority for his government because of the benefits they provide to students, including motivation.

Melissa Bouchard, a mother of two teens, started a petition that has gathered more than 1,200 signatures opposing the school's restrictions.

Bouchard, whose 14-year-old son is in a special stream combining skiing, golf and curling, said in a phone interview that many students can successfully balance sports and high-level studies.

As examples, she cited former NFL player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Olympic medal-winning figure skater Joannie Rochette, who have both pursued careers in medicine after retiring as athletes.

She said that opting out of advanced math and science can limit students' options in college and university, and she doesn't feel it's fair to ask children that young to make a potentially career-altering decision.

"Now children who are 14, 15, 16 years old have to decide on their careers, nothing less, because if they choose not to take enriched math in the fall of 2025, they close doors for their careers," she said.