"Leading figure in the education sector aims to aid teachers while minimizing financial burden"
In a significant move for the educational landscape in Quebec, Lucien Maltais has been appointed as the President and CEO of the National Institute of Excellence in Education (INEE), effective from July 28. The INEE, created as part of Minister Bernard Drainville's reform, aims to promote educational excellence.
According to Mr. Maltais, the INEE's mission is to aid educators in implementing effective practices, with a focus on improving services for students and increasing academic success and student well-being. The INEE will be independent from politics, but will determine its priority themes in consultation with the minister and stakeholders.
Mr. Maltais, currently the director of the Centre de services scolaire (CSS) des Chênes in Drummondville, anticipates potential resistance but is optimistic about the impact of the INEE on the ground. He believes that the INEE can simplify teachers' tasks by centralizing resources and knowledge syntheses.
However, the specifics of the INEE's role in Quebec's educational system, its direct impact on teachers' professional autonomy, and research promotion remain to be clarified. While such institutes typically aim to raise the quality and standards of education by supporting pedagogical innovation, promoting evidence-based teaching practices, and encouraging collaboration between educators and researchers, the INEE's exact role in these areas is yet to be fully understood.
It is incontournable for Mr. Maltais to keep the budgetary context in mind, given the $570 million in budget cuts in education. Mr. Maltais previously expressed concern about the cuts while leading the CSS des Chênes. The number of employees under the INEE and its operating budget are also yet to be determined.
By the end of his term, Mr. Maltais hopes that all stakeholders in the education network recognize the INEE as a valuable and essential tool. The CSS des Chênes, under Mr. Maltais' leadership, allowed all students to have access to a particular program in 2022, aiming to smooth out achievement gaps.
As the INEE begins its journey, it does so amidst a backdrop of other significant events. A bomb alert in six Canadian airports, including Montreal, was recently reported, but no suspicious elements were found. Additionally, social assistance for asylum seekers in Quebec is being reduced, and a new detention center in Florida opens amidst a massive budget project.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Maltais remains optimistic about the INEE's potential impact. He does not align with any specific political camp and believes that his independence will allow him to focus on the institute's mission. As he takes office, the education community eagerly awaits the INEE's contributions to the educational landscape in Quebec.
The National Institute of Excellence in Education (INEE), under the leadership of Luciens Maltais, aims to centralize resources and knowledge syntheses, not just in the realm of education, but also potentially in the arts, given its focus on improving services for students and increasing academic success and student well-being. However, the specific role of the INEE in promoting evidence-based teaching practices that extend to the arts, or its impact on finance within the educational sector, remains to be seen and fully understood.
