School of second chances may close

Lack of funding for a Montreal adult education school catering to students with learning disabilities, could mean the end of courses for over 30 of its students.
Leaky roofs, outdated technical equipment and insufficient funding from private and government sources has been plaguing the school since it opened 10 years ago, and according to the school principal and founder it could mean the end of a very unique school.
“Every year is a challenge,” said principal Denyse Mayano, “but this year is the worst.”
Last week, students were forced out of the only classroom available to them and into a storage room because of a leaky roof.
The room was flooded because of the crumbling roof and warm weather, making the classroom unusable and a safety risk. For Mayano, flooding is not her main concern. She is more worried about the school’s survival because of diminishing finances.
The school’s funding relies on donations from individuals, private interests and foundations, but so far they haven’t received enough money to make it past June of this year.
Mayano explains that teachers and students are so busy with other commitments that they don’t have enough time for fundraising or marketing to ensure a constant level of funding. Last fall, students organized a garage sale and a bowling event to help pay for rent. But it still isn’t enough.”More funding would enable us to hire specialized teachers and work with volunteers also. Instead of having 30 students we could have 75,” said Mayano.
Felix-Antoine school is recognized by the Ministry of Education. In 2004, after 10 years of efforts, they finally received a permit to offer classes. This year, they received a few thousand dollars from the ministry, but it’s far from the $50,000 a year needed to keep the school running.
Representatives of the ministry say they greatly appreciate the work of Mayano and her team, but they can’t grant them full funding. “The law on private education doesn’t include adults’ general formation. They are recognized, but not eligible for funding,” explained Isabelle Tremblay, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education.
What Mayano is asking from the ministry is a certain amount of money each year to ensure that they can start long-term financial planning, welcome more students, buy new equipment and repair the roof.
Felix-Antoine is the only school of its kind in the province of Quebec. Mayano thinks there is only one reason why it exists.
“A lot of people older than 18 years old would like to finish school, but don’t have the opportunity to do so because they don’t have access to a service suitable for them. In Quebec, almost 18,000 people are leaving our public education system without a diploma [every year],” she said.
Marie-eve Arcand, 22, who has dyslexia, believes that she wouldn’t be able to find the support that she receives at Felix-Antoine anywhere else. She dropped out of high school in secondary one (grade 7).
“When you’re 30 students in a class, teachers cannot give you the help that you need. For them, the problem is you or your parents,” said Arcand. “In regular school, you don’t ask questions because you don’t want people to laugh at you.” She feels more comfortable at Felix-Antoine because the classes are smaller and she is not the only one with disabilities.
Arcand is determined to get her high school diploma and find a job working with kids. In Arcand’s words, the closing of Felix-Antoine would be a real “slap in the face.”

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