Le Conseil supérieur de l’éducation sous le gouvernement Lévesque (1976-1985) : entre recherche d'autonomie et éloignement

Abstract

When René Lévesque’s Parti Québécois came to power in 1976, it promised to continue the renewal of the education system initiated by the Quiet Revolution. After the tumultuous years of Robert Bourassa’s Liberal reign, marked by a large number of school and union crises, the change of government filled the education world with hope. Quite quickly, however, the PQ education ministers, Jacques-Yvan Morin and Camille Laurin, were faced with major challenges. In this article, we look at how the Conseil supérieur de l’éducation worked during this period to preserve the integrity of its mission, which was threatened by the birth of another advisory body, the Conseil des collèges. We also look at the evolution of the Conseil supérieur de l’éducation, an evolution marked by practices and positions that distanced the organism from both the government and the public, notably with regard to education funding and the status of teachers. In conclusion, we describe how the arrival of Pierre Lucier as president seems to have led to a renewal and reorientation of the advisory body.