Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of school, Lily Boucher Rodriguez, a 17-year-old, decided to stop attending classes after struggling with intermittent attendance for nearly two years.
Expressing her challenges, she shared, “I used to skip classes by hiding in the bathroom due to extreme anxiety about everything and interactions with people.”
Boucher Rodriguez found solace and a supportive learning environment at L’Ancre des Jeunes, a community organization in Montreal, where she could concentrate on her studies without the fear of judgment.
Encouraging others in similar situations, Rodriguez emphasized, “Everyone has their unique journey, and it’s crucial to stay focused on completing yours.”
Besides offering homework assistance in the afternoons, L’Ancre des Jeunes in Montreal’s Verdun borough provides specialized programs to assist teenagers and young adults in re-engaging with education after dropping out.
Recent data from the public school district, as reported by CBC News, indicates a surge in school absenteeism at both elementary and secondary levels nationwide, including in Quebec.
‘They will eventually get demotivated,’ says co-ordinator
Florence Fontaine, the program co-ordinator, mentioned that some youths benefiting from the organization’s services have missed extensive periods, ranging from months to years, of school attendance.
Fontaine highlighted that kids are often referred to the organization by parents, social workers, or youth protection authorities if they exhibit prolonged absences from school. Notably, the participants interviewed by CBC News were not directed by youth protection services.
Fontaine explained that factors such as mental health issues, bullying, family challenges, and academic struggles contribute to students missing school and eventually seeking support from their programs.
Fontaine expressed concerns about the education system’s inability to accommodate diverse learning styles, leading students to lose motivation and reduce their school attendance over time.
School absenteeism on the rise
In Montreal, student attendance has witnessed a decline.
Data from the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM), Quebec’s largest educational service center, reveals an 85% increase in unexcused absences in elementary schools between the academic years 2018-2019 and 2024-2025. Unexcused absences signify a lack of communication from parents or guardians regarding the student’s absence.