Teachers, parents want more details on proposed summer school for children with learning challenges

The Quebec government is considering setting up a catch-up summer school forstruggling studentsbut teachers are scrambling to find out what that would actually look like, while some parents say they'd be reluctant to send their children.

A spokesperson for Education Minister Jean-Franois Roberge said the camps would be offered to students of all levels in the greater Montreal area and Joliette, and to high school students in other regions.

The camps, which would run three weeks,could start later this month, and participation would be optional,said Francis Bouchard.

Two people employed by the English Montreal School Board told CBC News they were asked to be ready to open schools nextMonday, althoughan EMSB spokespersonsaid the board isstill in talks with unions, principals and parents.

The idea is drawing criticism from some teachers and parents.

"This government keeps throwing us curve balls, and we're trying to figure out what to do," said Heidi Yetman, thepresident of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers, which represents 8,000 English-language teachers.

Yetman said while the unionwould be open to having teachers come in and give extra help to students, the way the province has tried to implement plans has been disorganized and unclear.

"We hear about it through email or through the media, and then we all run around trying to figure out what it is," said Yetman.

Teachers alsoalready have enough on their hands as they are still teaching remotely, full time,Yetman said.

"We should be concentrating on how we're going to reopen in the falland getting the school teams together to sit down and really work it out," said Yetman.

'Let the regular kids go back first'

George Hiotis, whose 17-year-old son Michael has a borderline learning disability, said he received a call Tuesday from hisson's school asking if Michael would want to return next week.

"[Michael]gave me a little cute smirk and said, 'Let the regular kids go back first,'" saidHiotis.

"If they can assure all the parents that nothing will go wrong, that they will take all the precautions to guarantee the safety of each and every child, I would gladly send Michael back," said Hiotis.

But as it stands, Hiotis said, he has no confidence that necessary measures to ensure students' safety will be in place by next week, so he doesn't plan on sending his son back.