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
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.