Some international students lack basic computer and academic skills, Conestoga College unions claim
Unions representing Conestoga College’s faculty and support staff are speaking out about the impact of the school’s rapid growth on those who work there.
They feel many of the international students aren’t ready for college and that's compromising the school’s academic integrity, putting an unnecessary strain on staff, and clouding their reputation.
MORE: Conestoga is a foreign student mecca. Is its climb to riches leading it off a cliff?
Breaking down the numbers
Conestoga College’s student population more than doubled, to 45,000, over a four-year period.
In terms of international students, the school had 37,000 study permits extended and approved in 2023. Not only was that the most across Canada, but it’s also represents more than a 30 per cent increase compared to 2022.
College concerns
Local union presidents, Leopold Koff and Vikki Poirier, estimate that that 85 to 90 per cent of the student population comes from outside Canada. They told CTV News that some of those students just aren’t ready for college-level learning.
“Basic skill sets like arithmetical skills [and] computer skills, even knowing how to turn on a computer, how to even operate within a network. They’re lacking those basic skills that we would take for granted,” said Koff, who represents faculty, librarians and counsellors with Local 237 OPSEU.
He added that some students want landed immigrant status and, as a result, they become desperate to pass their courses.
“The academic integrity issues are massive in terms of students trying to find easier ways to get through and to cheat, basically,” Koff explained.
He believes it’s harming the school’s reputation, which also impacts both current and former students.
“How good is their diploma on the wall… because they’re going to be compared to those who are graduating now.”
Conestoga College responds
The college responded with the following in a statement: “Conestoga’s admission requirements are similar to, or higher, than other colleges. The majority of our international students enrol in graduate certificate programs and more than 75 per cent of them come to Conestoga with existing credentials. English language assessments as well as foreign credential assessments are often required.”
The school also stated that 90 per cent of their graduates find employment within six months of completing their program, while the employment rates of international and domestic graduates are almost identical.
Faculty frustrations
Koff claims many of the college’s faculty members are stressed and want to leave – and it’s not just instructors.
Support staff also feel overwhelmed with their workload.
“We have members that are leaving, we have posts that get reposted because people either don’t want to come here or they have accepted something different or better,” explained Poirier, the president for Local 238 OPSEU.
Koff, meanwhile, is hopeful that the government-mandated cap on student admissions will give the school a chance to pause and re-evaluate its path forward.
What’s next?
Conestoga College has a significant financial surplus of $106 million for 2022-2023.
But, Koff argues, that shouldn’t be driving the school’s decisions.
“How did we get that money and where did it come from? And at what cost is what we’re trying to balance,” he said.
In a statement to CTV News, the college explained that there are regular monthly meetings where concerns can be raised by both the two unions and administration.
Koff said that while the unions have been politely listened to, not all their recommendations are being implemented.
He would like to see the college run more like a university with more groups, like faculty members, getting a seat at the decision-making table.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Child under 5 dies of measles in Ontario: PHO
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to Internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
5 secrets to moving better and preventing avoidable injury
Countless people seek emergency care for back pain, muscle strains and similar injuries resulting from “moving wrong” during mundane, everyday tasks such as bending over to tie shoes, lifting objects or doing household chores.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
French police fatally shoot a man suspected of setting fire to a synagogue
French police shot and killed a man armed with a knife and a metal bar who is suspected of having set fire to a synagogue in the Normandy city of Rouen early on Friday, the latest apparent act in a storm of antisemitism roiling France amid the Israel-Hamas war.