Legault ‘shocked’ by Montreal teachers scandal, promises to tighten secularism controls – Montreal

Quebec Premier François Legault says he is shocked that a group of 11 teachers in Montreal tried to introduce “Islamic concepts” into a public school.

The premier said on social media that he will see how Quebec’s secularism rules can be strengthened in response to a government investigation into the Bedford school in Montreal.

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He says it is unthinkable in Quebec in 2024 that teachers have avoided teaching subjects such as science and sex education and that for years they have carried out a campaign of intimidation against students and colleagues at school.

Legault says Quebec decided a long time ago to remove religion from public schools and won’t go back.

Quebec’s largest school services center said last week that the 11 teachers were suspended after a government investigation found that a “dominant clan” at the Bedford school imposed strict, autocratic rule over students.

The investigation revealed that teachers were allegedly influenced by the local mosque and subjected children to physical and psychological violence, and refused to teach or paid little attention to subjects such as science and sex education.