Teachers and parents gathered in Fredericton to protest the New Brunswick government’s plan to reform the French immersion program in schools.
The government-led consultation involving about 300 people at the Delta Hotel on Wednesday lasted about 90 minutes from the scheduled 8:30 p.m. closing time, and all but one of the about 30 people who addressed the room spoke against the province’s proposed changes. criticized.
Attendees questioned what evidence the government had on the shortcomings of the current French immersion program to justify reforms. He also demanded to know what data the province used to create the new program, and wondered whether the changes were being made after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teacher Heather Hollett compared the government’s plan to demolishing the whole house, while only the kitchen needed to be remodeled.
“Instead of isolating the system, I would suggest gathering data through more educational supports and putting resources into education, behavior mentor supports interventions, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists,” he told the audience.
‘I’m worried for my little boy’: NB parents back out of proposed French immersion program
COVID misinformation caused at least 2,800 deaths in Canada, costing $300M: report
The government says its reforms aim to ensure all graduates in Anglophone regions have at least a “conversational level” of French. The province prides itself on being the only officially bilingual province in Canada, but has expressed regret that most of its anglophone graduates cannot speak French.
The proposed changes – which are to be implemented in the fall – are proving controversial because they would cut into the time students spend learning French. The province’s current immersion program provides up to 90 percent of class time in French, while the new program devotes half a day to learning in French and half to English instruction in subjects such as math, reading and writing.
Moira Baiting, who has children in a French immersion programme, said the government should freeze its reforms. He said that the teachers and students are passing through two years of COVID-19 and are still grappling with its effects.
“I think the system just needs to stop and catch up,” Byng said. “The teachers need to be rejuvenated and the children just need to have a sense of continuity.”
Hollett said he has some “serious concerns” because the government seems to be leaving no room for extracurricular activities. The logistical realities of the school, she said, made the government’s promise to teach students in French for half a day “uninformed and untrue”.
“If 50 percent of the day is devoted to math and literacy in instruction in English and 50 percent of the day is devoted to French-language instruction, where would subjects like physical education, art, and music fit in?”
His statement evoked applause and applause from the audience.
Education Minister Bill Hogan opened the evening by telling the crowd that the purpose of the session was to find out whether the government was on “the right track”.
“At the end of the day, when we look at all the data that has been gathered, we are going to make a decision,” he said. “We’re going to share it as soon as possible.”
Jeff Bairstow, an engineer who has children in the French submersion programme, wanted to know whether the government had support for the privately planned changes. Because, he said, opposition to the idea of the province has been vocal and public.
“If you come before the public and say ‘the silent majority has spoken,’ I hope you have the data to back it up,” he said. “Don’t think the silent group is the majority.”
NB Education Minister addresses French immersion plan in first public consultation
COVID booster effective against XBB variant: US CDC study
Hogan did not answer reporters’ questions about how many people were in favor of the event.
“I have received many positive comments and emails from teachers. So yes, I have,” he said. “We will put it together with the rest of the data that we have and we will draw conclusions.”
Chrissy Montgomery with New Brunswick Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services said there is a shortage of language interpreters and teachers for students with hearing problems. He said children with hearing challenges should be taught sign language before French or English, adding that the government’s plan will only increase confusion and frustration among those students.
He noted that many deaf students entering kindergarten have not been properly taught to express their needs in French or English.
“You’re going to switch them between English class 50 percent of the time, French class 50 percent of the time without any language?”
Donna McLaughlin, board member of Canadian Parents for French, said, “We have yet to see data that supports your proposed plan. We have not seen the research you have proposed. Haven’t mentioned who your experts are.
Chris Collins, executive director of the New Brunswick chapter of Canadian Parents for French – which has all held public consultations in Bathurst, Moncton and St. John – said the public reaction has been “very negative” to the changes.
“I can’t say that I think they will be heard,” he said. “All I can say is I hope they are heard.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on January 26, 2023.
© 2023 The Canadian Press