More than three thousand teaching positions across Quebec’s primary and secondary schools are still vacant as the province prepares for the start of the new school year. The vacancies are reported in mid‑August 2026, roughly two weeks before classes are scheduled to resume, leaving school administrators racing to recruit staff in a compressed timeframe.
The scale of the shortfall affects both elementary and high schools, with each district reporting a need for teachers in a range of subjects and grade levels. School boards have announced intensified hiring drives, extending posting periods and reaching out to former teachers and recent graduates in an effort to close the gaps before the first day of classes.
Education officials note that the timing of the vacancies creates logistical challenges, from arranging substitute coverage to adjusting timetables and class sizes. The pressure to staff classrooms is heightened by the proximity of the start date, limiting the window for background checks, credential verification and onboarding processes.
Parents and students are expected to feel the impact of the shortages, as schools may have to combine classes or limit elective offerings until permanent hires are secured. The situation also adds strain to existing staff, who may be called upon to cover additional responsibilities while new hires are integrated.
Provincial education authorities have acknowledged the problem and are monitoring recruitment efforts, but no specific solutions have been announced beyond encouraging schools to explore all available channels for attracting qualified teachers. With the first bell set to ring in less than two weeks, Quebec’s education system faces a critical period of staffing adjustments ahead of the new term.