Quebec Schools Under Pressure: Ombudsman Report Reveals Rising Complaints

QUEBEC CITY, QC – February 12, 2026 – Quebec's education system is grappling with significant and growing challenges, from overcrowded schools to inadequate support for vulnerable students, according to the second annual report from the National Student Ombudsman (NSO). Released today, the 2024-2025 report by Ombudsman Jean-François Bernier paints a critical but constructive picture of a network under strain, while also highlighting the increasing effectiveness of his office as a crucial watchdog for student rights.

The report details a surge in outreach from parents and students, with the NSO fielding 1,077 formal complaints and an additional 4,732 requests for information and assistance between July 2024 and June 2025. These figures represent a notable increase over the office's inaugural year, signaling a growing public awareness of the NSO and a persistent need for intervention in the province's schools.

A System Stretched to its Limits

The report identifies several systemic issues that repeatedly surface in complaints. A primary concern is the "limits to schools' capacity," which the ombudsman describes as a growing problem tied to the right to choose a school. This points to a system struggling to accommodate student populations, a pressure likely exacerbated by Quebec's recent significant population growth. For parents, this translates into uncertainty and difficulty securing placement in desired or neighborhood schools.

Another major area of concern is the management of students with special needs. The report underscores that the successful implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) hinges on the meaningful involvement of parents and the availability of necessary resources. The recurring complaints in this area suggest that many families feel left out of the process and that schools often lack the specialized staff or tools to meet their legal and ethical obligations to these students.

The ombudsman also sounds the alarm on safety within schools. The report states bluntly that "many schools are still ill-equipped to respond" to incidents of sexual violence, bullying, and violence. This finding is particularly troubling given the establishment of a dedicated, confidential reporting mechanism for sexual violence in 2023. It suggests that while reporting channels may be improving, the on-the-ground capacity for prevention and response is lagging.

Rounding out the key issues are "disruption of services or schooling," such as suspensions or expulsions. The report cautions that these should only be measures of last resort, with careful consideration of the impact on the student. The NSO's focus on this area indicates a concern that disciplinary actions may sometimes be applied without sufficient regard for a student's underlying needs or right to an education.

A Watchdog with Growing Influence

While the problems are significant, the report's data also tells a story of an oversight body gaining traction and proving its effectiveness. The volume of work handled by the NSO has grown substantially since its first year. Compared to the 1,006 complaints in its inaugural 2023-2024 report, the current 1,077 complaints show a steady demand. More strikingly, the number of completed cases nearly doubled from 447 to 802, and the grounds for complaints investigated jumped from 668 to 1,159.

This increase in volume is matched by an increase in validated concerns. The percentage of substantiated complaint grounds rose from 37% in the first year to 40.2% in the second, indicating that a larger portion of the issues brought to the NSO are being confirmed as valid upon investigation.

The true measure of the NSO's power, however, lies in its recommendations. In the 2024-2025 period, the ombudsman issued 1,293 recommendations to educational institutions to resolve individual cases and fix systemic problems. An overwhelming 94.9% of these recommendations were accepted by the institutions, and 94.7% of those accepted were subsequently implemented. These figures, up slightly from the first year's already high rates, demonstrate that when the NSO identifies a problem, schools and school boards are overwhelmingly compelled to act. This high compliance rate transforms the ombudsman's office from a mere suggestion box into a powerful mechanism for accountability.

A Lifeline for Families

Behind the statistics are the individual students and parents navigating a complex and sometimes unresponsive system. The NSO's mandate establishes it as an independent and impartial body, offering a recourse that is separate from the school boards and private institutions it oversees. This independence is crucial for building trust and ensuring that complainants are protected from reprisal.

The ombudsman's services are available to students from preschool through secondary school, including those in adult education, vocational training, and even home-schooling settings. This broad scope ensures a standardized complaint process across the entire province. The regional structure of the office, with Regional Student Ombuds (RSO), ensures accessibility for families regardless of their location.

In his report, National Student Ombudsman Jean-François Bernier emphasizes the fundamental role his office plays. "The National Student Ombudsman's services meet a real and ongoing need in the Québec school network," Bernier stated. "The solid foundation of our work allows us to resolve situations, find solutions, and make real improvements benefiting students and their parents."

This sentiment reflects the NSO's dual function: not only to investigate and resolve specific complaints but also to use the insights gained to drive broader systemic improvements, aiming to prevent the same problems from reoccurring. The confidential investigative powers allow the RSOs to delve deeply into issues, providing a level of scrutiny that might otherwise be impossible.

The report serves as a public invitation for those facing issues to reach out. With a toll-free hotline available 24/7 for assistance in cases of sexual violence and clear contact information for all other complaints, the NSO continues to position itself as an accessible and essential advocate for the rights of all students in Quebec.