News Releases
MONTREAL, March 17, 2009 – Jacques Ménard, chair of the Groupe d'action sur la persévérance et la réussite scolaires and president of BMO Financial Group, Quebec, noted with regret today. “Facing this situation, we have no choice but to launch an effort involving all of Quebec society in order to reduce the dropout rate.”
L. Jacques Ménard and the nearly 30 members of the action group feel that it is possible to increase the graduation rate among 20-year-olds from its current 69 per cent to more than 80 per cent within a decade. “Accomplishing this will absolutely require that student retention and success becomes the business of all society, not just the schools and the education department,” said Ménard. “Every initiative taken in every region, in every district, in every field where it's required, must contribute to students' success and place enough pressure on the Quebec government that it will follow the Ontario government's example and become truly involved in the fight to reduce the dropout rate using all necessary means.”
“All the initiatives that have proved successful in the field of student retention and success share a number of characteristics. These include a strong leader ready to become involved in the fight; community involvement; a relationship of trust between the young person and the person or persons coaching him or her; and excellent coordination among the players at the various levels,” said Michel Perron, founder of the Conseil régional de prévention de l'abandon scolaire au Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean (CRPAS) and head of the organization's student retention project between 1996 and 2003. CRPAS has helped bring about a significant increase in the graduation rate in the Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean region.
The McKinsey & Company consulting firm generously assisted the action group in developing a response plan that, with adjustments to meet the specific requirements of each region, school, district or town, could contribute to the success of the fight to lower the dropout rate. “We studied models that have worked here and abroad and, with the help of Quebec's top experts in the field, have drawn the necessary lessons,” said éric Lamarre, Managing Director, Montreal Office, McKinsey & Company.
“That nearly one young person in three celebrates his or her 20th birthday without a high school diploma is a fact that should leave none of us indifferent, especially in a world where knowledge is the key to freedom and independence,” said L. Jacques Ménard. “Without laying blame on anyone, it is time to acknowledge that all the studies we've consulted show that not completing high school is far too often a generator of poverty and reduced involvement in community life—in short, a tragedy, above all for the individuals concerned but also for society as a whole. I turned my attention to this issue following the publication of my book, Si on s'y mettait…, because I strongly believe it is through education that Quebec will achieve its full potential.”
Mr. Ménard pointed to the success announced last week by Ontario's premier, who decided to become personally involved in the fight to reduce the dropout rate with the support of the education minister and many partners. Ontario has been able to raise its high school graduation rate from 68% five years ago to 77% today. “Success like this doesn't happen by chance,” Mr. Ménard emphasized. “It is the result of a large number of community-based initiatives and a significant commitment by the Ontario government, which has understood that educating young people is the best way to maintain the province's standard of living and economic growth.”
“Student retention and success is everybody's business. Each young person who succeeds in obtaining a diploma is also a success for his or her entire community. In our report, we put forward various approaches and identify the main ball carriers. We hope that all the parties involved, in particular the Quebec government, will put their shoulders to the wheel. Our success as a society depends on it,” Mr. Ménard concluded.
- 30 -