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
BREAKING Jury in Donald Trump's hush money trial reaches verdict; expected to be read soon
The jury in Donald Trump's hush money trial has reached a verdict, signalling a highly anticipated culmination of the first criminal case against a former American president.
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
'I didn't think it was real': Oilers fans score free Game 4 tickets from stranger
There's always something to be happy about when the Edmonton Oilers are making good strides in the playoffs, but this is especially true for two lucky fans who were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Game 4 — for free.
Man stabbed in both legs with a machete in Times Square
A man was stabbed in both legs with a machete at New York's Times Square on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
Shania Twain shares how she forgave her ex-husband's cheating: 'It's his mistake'
Shania Twain recently addressed the infidelity that rocked her marriage to Robert 'Mutt' Lange, whom she divorced in 2010 after he had an affair with her friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
Melanie Joly 'forward-leaning' in debate on Ukraine using NATO arms inside Russia
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is suggesting Canada would support a policy of allowing Ukraine to use NATO-provided arms inside Russia.