Parent group welcomes N.B. premier statement that French immersion reform uncertain
FREDERICTON – A New Brunswick parent group is welcoming a statement by the premier that the government’s proposed reform to the French immersion program in schools isn’t a sure thing.
Chris Collins, executive director for the New Brunswick chapter of Canadian Parents for French, says it is encouraging to see Premier Blaine Higgs soften his stance.
Collins says the people of New Brunswick have spoken “very clearly” against the plan and want the government to back down.
Higgs told reporters Wednesday his government’s plans to reform French immersion weren’t concrete and that he would make a decision based on recommendations from the Education Department.
The proposed changes are to be implemented in the fall and would see kindergarten and elementary students spend half the day learning in French — down from the current 90 per cent of the day.
The government recently held a series of public consultations on its proposed changes, including one meeting last month in the capital during which almost all who spoke out criticized the plan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2023.
Credit: Parent group welcomes N.B. premier statement that French immersion reform uncertain
