Teachers' association slams accelerated French immersion changes, drops out of consultations

The New Brunswick Teachers' Association "strongly opposes" the government's "political" decision to accelerate French immersion changes to next fall, and has dropped out of consultations on the matter, saying its trust has been broken.

The anglophone professional organization that serves some 6,000 teacher members made the announcement via an online statement Friday morning.

"It is imperative that decisions be made in the best interests of all students, address pre-existing classroom composition challenges, and acknowledge the strain that current teacher shortages are placing on the system," the statement says.

"A September 2023 implementation would further aggravate these situations."

Education Minister Bill Hogan has said changes are coming next year, and different programs are still being considered. "Any children currently enrolled in immersion will continue through that program until grade 12, if they choose to stay in it," he said.

Former education minister Dominic Cardy,who resignedlast week, said cabinet approved a 2024 timelineand a more cautious, detailed process.

Premier Blaine Higgstold reportersthe fall of '23was the original target date, "and then it got moved."

Contrary to independent report

The government's decision iscontrary to theadvice of a report onsecond-language training, filed in February, following an independent review, the teachers' association notes.

The reportrecommended replacing immersion with a program for all students, aimed at achieving a conversational level of French. But the commissioners, former deputy education minister John McLaughlin and Provincial Court Judge Yvette Finn, warned that government should approach the recommendations "cautiously."

"We anticipate that if the above recommendation is approached strategically and with careful planning, it may take a number of years to be fully implemented," the report said.

TheNew Brunswick Teachers' Associationhas participated "in good faith" in the French consultations being conducted, accordingto the statement from the group.

"Unfortunately, trust in the process has been broken and the association will no longer be engaging in the formal consultation process until such time a mutual collaborative consultation process is in place."

Minister 'surprised and disappointed'

The education minister, who has spent 35 years in the education system, said he had heard about classroom composition issues for at least the last 20.

"Now, we are looking to move forward with a framework to ensure that every student not only graduates with a conversational level of French, but will address classroom composition issues at the same time by removing streaming.

"As such, I was a little surprised and disappointed by their stance," Hogan said in an emailed statement.

The Department of Education had no update to offer Friday on pending changes.

"Work is ongoing and the minister would be happy to comment further once we have more to share," said spokesperson Morgan Bell.

"As Canada's only bilingual province, all students should be able to converse in both official languages by the time they graduate high school,"Bell said in an emailed statement.

But existing programming is "complex" for families to understand and is not available for all students.

"For instance, one third of anglophone sector public schools do not offer French immersion. In addition, the two-tiered structure that has emerged does not meet the needs of every student," Bell said.

Last March, the department accepted 18 of the 24 recommendations made in thesecond-language training reportand in May committed to consult the province on how best to improve French learning to ensure it's equitable and accessible for all students.

Members of the public are encouraged to share feedback at: consultation.eecd.edpe@gnb.ca.

CBC News requested an interview with NBTA president Connie Keatingbut a spokesperson said she ismeeting with the board of directors all day and might not be out until "late evening."

The premier's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.