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Students in Quebec’s elementary and secondary schools as well as those enrolled in higher education will, as of next autumn, no longer be required to present a doctor’s note to justify certain absences from class.
The Quebec government announced the change on Friday, saying it is part of a campaign to address complaints from the province’s physicians that they are spending too much time on paperwork.
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It will no longer be necessary for a student in elementary or secondary school to present a doctor’s note for an absence of less than five days. Individual schools can develop their own policies on whether to require a doctor’s note for longer absences.
However, a note from a physician will still be required for absences from examinations conducted by the provincial Education Ministry for Secondary 4 and 5 students, since those exams are required to obtain a high-school diploma. A note can still be required for an absence from provincial exams for primary and secondary schools, as is already the case.
“When our children are sick and must be absent from school, it isn’t something that’s done for fun,” Quebec Education Minster Bernard Drainville said in a statement. “It’s good news that we have reduced the requirements for doctors’ notes.”
Students attending classes in higher levels of education will not be required to produce a note for absences of less than five days.
The policy is being announced after the province’s physicians complained they are spending 20 per cent of their time filling out paperwork.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé said on Friday his priority is to see doctors spend more time with their patients.
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