Eleven Teachers Lose Their Jobs at a Montreal School

Introduction

The government in Quebec took away the teaching licenses of eleven teachers. These teachers worked at a primary school in Montreal.

Main Body

The government studied the school in 2024. They found that some teachers were mean to students and other teachers. These teachers forced their religious ideas on others. They also did not teach science or health classes. Now, the government has new rules. Teachers and daycare workers cannot wear religious symbols. They cannot pray in public. The city checked 17 other schools, but those schools followed the rules. Two experts wrote a report about the school. They found 38 problems. The school is better now, but it needs new leaders by January 2026. The teachers' union says the government was not fair.

Conclusion

The eleven teachers cannot teach now. However, they are fighting this decision in court.

Learning

🛑 STOP & LOOK: The Power of "CANNOT"

In this story, we see a strong word used many times: cannot.

What is it? It is the opposite of can.

  • Can = Yes, it is possible. ✅
  • Cannot = No, it is not allowed or not possible. ❌

Examples from the text:

  • "Teachers... cannot wear religious symbols."
  • "They cannot pray in public."
  • "The eleven teachers cannot teach now."

💡 QUICK GUIDE: Making Sentences

To use this, just put cannot before the action word (the verb).

  • I cannot go → (It is impossible for me to go)
  • You cannot smoke → (It is against the rules to smoke)
  • We cannot see → (We are unable to see)

Pattern: Person \rightarrow cannot \rightarrow Action


📖 WORD BANK: Action words from the story

If you want to practice, pair cannot with these words:

  • teach \rightarrow cannot teach
  • wear \rightarrow cannot wear
  • pray \rightarrow cannot pray

Vocabulary Learning

government
The group of people who run a country or region.
Example:The government made new rules for schools.
school
A place where children learn.
Example:She goes to school every day.
teacher
A person who teaches students.
Example:The teacher explained the lesson.
student
A person who is learning at school.
Example:The student asked a question.
religious
Relating to religion.
Example:He has religious beliefs.
rule
A rule is a rule that must be followed.
Example:Students must follow the school rules.
symbol
A sign that represents something.
Example:The flag is a national symbol.
pray
To speak to a higher power.
Example:They pray before meals.
public
Open to everyone.
Example:The library is a public place.
court
A place where legal cases are decided.
Example:The case will go to court.