'We are here to teach, not to be beaten up'

Nine out of 10 Quebec teachers report experiencing violence on the job, according to a survey released Monday by the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE).

The union’s findings reveal widespread psychological, physical and sexual violence affecting educators across the province, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.

“We are here to teach, not to be beaten up,” said Catherine Renaud, FAE vice-president, at a news conference reported by CBC. “Like any other worker, we have the right to work without being subjected to acts of violence.”

The survey found 81% of respondents reported psychological or verbal abuse, while 63% experienced physical violence. Nearly 11% reported sexual abuse, La Presse reported.

Physical violence was most severe at the preschool and kindergarten levels, where 85% of teachers reported being hit, 75% said they suffered injuries, and 65% were pushed. According to CityNews, one teacher described being hit, bitten, kicked, and head-butted during a preschool student’s tantrum, later sustaining a minor head injury when the child threw a large object.

“Unfortunately, what we hear too often is: it’s just a little kid, a four- or five-year-old preschooler, it can’t hurt that much,” Renaud said.

In elementary schools, teachers reported all types of violence. High school educators faced primarily psychological and verbal abuse, with 81% reporting they have been victims. Bullying emerged as a major issue in vocational and adult education settings.

Prevalent behavioural challenges among students

The union attributed part of the problem to insufficient support staff for students with disabilities or behavioural difficulties integrated into regular classrooms.

“When a student arrives in the classroom and there is no necessary support, and then he or she begins to become disruptive and threaten the physical and psychological integrity of the other students in the class, as well as that of the teachers, we have to ask ourselves whether the student is in the right place,” Renaud said.

The violence takes a significant toll on educators. Teachers reported stress, sleep loss, decreased self-esteem and motivation, burnout, depression, and work absences. Three out of five respondents said they were considering leaving the profession, CBC News reported.

The FAE called on Education Minister Sonia LeBel to meet with the union and invest in specialised staff, including psychologists, special education technicians, psychoeducators, and speech therapists.

LeBel’s office responded that the minister would meet with the FAE to discuss the findings, stating the government “cannot obviously tolerate violence and intimidation in our schools.”

The online survey, conducted between April 28 and May 26, 2025, drew responses from 2,443 of the union’s 65,000 members across nine unions in major Quebec cities.