Education system changes

Québec Solidaire Member of the National Assembly Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois has released a white paper titled *Those We Leave Behind*, critiquing Canada’s three-tiered school system—private schools, public schools with enrichment, and regular public schools. The paper argues this structure disproportionately disadvantages boys, particularly those from lower-income families, by failing to address their developmental and educational needs. Nadeau-Dubois proposes adopting elements of Finland’s education system, where formal schooling begins at age seven after full-day kindergarten at six and half-day kindergarten at five. Finland’s approach emphasizes cooperative learning over competition, requires all teachers to hold master’s degrees, and avoids standardized testing until high school. Despite its relaxed academic pace, Finland consistently ranks at or near the top in global PISA assessments. Critics, including parenting author Steve Biddulph and Oxford professor Kathy Sylva, warn that early formal education can create developmental and academic challenges, particularly for boys. Sylva notes that kindergarten has shifted from play-based learning to accelerated academics, which may contribute to early failure risks. The Finnish model’s success is attributed to its focus on teacher quality, shorter school days, and extended vacations. Implementing similar reforms in British Columbia could reduce demand for learning assistance and allow specialists to focus on students with complex needs, according to Nadeau-Dubois’ proposal. The white paper suggests that systemic changes—such as later school entry and reduced academic pressure—could improve equity and outcomes for marginalized students while maintaining high educational standards.