N.B. teachers association calls on province to slow down, restart on French immersion replacement
Group also calls for end to 'political interference' in education, which 'breeds long-term instability'
In a message posted on social media Friday, the association says the plan, is not ready.
It says "learning conditions for all teachers and students are essential" and the government should "restart here."
The association also says it wants to see an end to what it calls political interference in education, which it contends "breeds long-term instability."
"What we're trying to educate our current and future politicians and the public about is the importance of stability in our education system," said president Connie Keating.
"It shouldn't be reduced to partisan football."
Not enough time
This comes as consultations with parents and teachers on the contentious 50-50 plan have wrapped up and the Department of Education gets to work on a final plan that could be implemented by September, if the changes proceed.
Under the proposed model, described as a "framework" when it was unveiled in December, all anglophone kindergarten and elementary students would spend half their day learning English and half learning French.
That's more French than what non-immersion students get now but much less than the existing, optional immersion program.
Seven months isn't enough time to put a new model — "however it will look" — into place, according to Keating.
She points to the current teacher shortage, particularly the shortage of French language teachers.
Although Education Minister Bill Hogan has suggested a solution might be to move forward with the changes for Grade 1 and not kindergarten, Keating doesn't think that would be enough to prevent "chaos."
She noted there are areas throughout the province that currently do not have any French language classes. Those districts and principals will be scrambling to find teachers when there is already a shortage of supply teachers on a daily basis, she said.
"It just doesn't seem possible."
It's a "mammoth" undertaking and it's causing "a lot of anxiety," Keating said.
"Teachers are certainly wondering about if they'll have to switch schools. You know, unilingual teachers are wondering where they will end up, if they're in a school where French isn't currently offered.
"So there are so many questions right now in a system that is already unstable" from COVID-19, and other issues, such as "significant learning gaps," and increased mental health issues, she said.
The association appreciates that the government's been "brave enough to start this conversation," said Keating.
"Now that it's been started, we're hopeful that they'll continue to be brave and restart the planning process with our professional team of educators at the Department of Education to build that firm foundation that we all need in order to grow a very solid, stable education system."
She suggests the "restart" should begin with class composition and wants to see some clear targets, with funding and the human resources in place to deliver.
Earlier this week, Premier Blaine Higgs said a decision on the changes will be made based on the public consultations, and recommendations from the education department.
With files from Shift
Teachers were also cautioned against using "words or actions that would discredit or bring disrepute to themselves, our profession or the education system."
Doing so, it warned, "could result in sanctions from their employer or their professional association."
The letter said association officials were present as observers at the consultations held in Bathurst and Moncton.
"There will also be staff present at this week's planned consultations in Saint John, Fredericton and the upcoming online sessions," said the message.
The English language is anti French
French people against Billingualism are anti French
Canadian historical fact is anti French
The very system of government in Canada is anti French
Everything is anti French, even the very existence of Anglophone New Brunswickers.
When will we say enough is enough and stop being silenced and gas lighted by those who are anti English and anti Unilingual?
This consolidation contains the text of the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly the British North America Act, 1867), together with amendments made to it since its enactment, as redrafted by the French Constitutional Drafting Committee in 1990, as well as amendments enacted since then, and the text of the Canada Act 1982 and the Constitution Act, 1982, the latter as amended since its enactment. The Constitution Act, 1982 contains the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other provisions, including the rights of Indigenous peoples and the procedures for amending the Constitution of Canada.
The Constitution Act, 1982 also contains a schedule of repeals of certain constitutional enactments and provides for the renaming of others. The British North America Act, 1949, for example, is renamed as the Newfoundland Act. The new names of these enactments are used in this consolidation, but their former names may be found in the schedule.
The Constitution Act, 1982 was enacted as Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982, 1982, c. 11 (U.K.). It is set out in this consolidation as a separate Act after the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Canada Act 1982.
On the other hand, the French version of the Canada Act 1982 has the same authority in Canada as the English version thereof, in accordance with section 3 of that Act. As for the Constitution Act, 1982, its English and French versions are both equally authoritative by virtue of section 57. These Acts are also an integral part of this consolidation.
You're welcome.
The Tory government in Britain surpasses anything I've seen in a First World country for corruption and callousness, horrible people elected through the efforts of even worse media barons. Anyone who thinks our ruling party is bad should take a look at what's happened over there.
Obituary of Thomas Malchama Kelley
David Ernest Hornell VC (26 January 1910 – 24 June 1944) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Raymond Alfred Mitton
In memory of:
Corporal Raymond Alfred Mitton
June 8, 1944
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, R.C.I.C.
Harper woos with Agent Orange, highway promises
CBC News · Posted: Jan 12, 2006 11:12 AM AST
Stephen Harper attempted to boost his party's election chances with a whistle-stop tour through New Brunswick this week, promising compensation for victims of Agent Orange spraying and more spending for highways.
Harper campaigned in Fredericton and Tobique-Mactaquac, where Conservative candidates are working hard to unseat two prominent Liberals, Andy Scott and Andy Savoy.
Agent Orange vets pin hopes on Thompson
CBC News · Posted: Feb 07, 2006 3:38 PM AST
Veterans claiming health problems from Agent Orange spraying at CFB Gagetown are confident New Brunswick's newest cabinet appointee will make sure they receive compensation for their trouble.
"The veterans are now encouraged the compensation will begin flowing soon.
Veteran John Chisholm is most excited by the fact that Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised to take the burden of proof of damage off individuals spray victims – making compensation easier to obtain.
"They knew I was in the area, they knew I was in the spray places, they knew that I was covered with it but they said, can you prove it?" said Chisholm. "And now this presumptive clause that he put in the paper today is going to eliminate that."
Sending Francophones back to Louisiana might be worthy if bigoted, but ending FI and OB is certainly not bigoted!
I pray Higgs will liberate the people of this province from the billingual supremacists!
Atom Gallant
Hey hey - Ho Ho NBTA has to go! Hey hey - Ho ho! and so on
Please premier Higgs liberate New Brunswick from this interference. Both anglophones and Francophones in NB are proud Canadians who love the freedom the British Commonwealth national. Of Canada affords us all.
Acadians and Francophones do not stand for hypocritical double standards!
May God bless Canada and may God bless true duality and the respect of English language education in the Anglophone school system!
Just my humble opinion.
Lots of jobs will be available in next few years, Lou. Get in line. Be the next big change maker, or be quiet.
Methinks many folks would enjoy watching a far from private tete-a-tete between you N'esy Pas?
"With a rebel yell she cried more, more, more
In the midnight hour, babe, more, more, more"
BTW I saw your comments throughout the threads and said nothing correct?
Methinks you may understand why you would have to pay to listen to Van Halen in my latter days N'esy Pas?
Bon Soir
Not sure what you are getting at my friend.
But good night.
PD days:
They can be great opportunities to speak with others who have the same course load and exchange ideas as to deliver things more effectively to students. Teachers aren’t evil, they try their best. Spew at government they are our employer.. oh yeah, I am retired, but you catch my drift .
And what is wrong with a new contract to come? Are teachers not supposed to have a contract but CUPE is?
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