Less English in Quebec's Anglophone schools?

Photo: morguefile.com/jdurham

Lester B Pearson School Board wants to improve French language proficiency in its schools. How to achieve this was one of the key questions asked of stakeholders in its most recent round of Major School Change consultations.

The board has already lost English first language programs to attrition, but now debates are pitting supporters of the so-called "50-50" bilingual programs against those who feel French immersion programs better serve the needs of students whose first language is not French.

Having a choice of both immersion and bilingual programs creates duplication of certain services, and the strain on school board budgets is reflected in a large number of school closures and mergers in recent years. Despite the obvious issues associated with offering different programs, parents in both immersion and bilingual schools have traditionally opposed the adoption of a "one size fits all" approach to language of instruction.

But as Quebec's largest English school board faces yet another round of Major School Change, parents and faculty are reaching toward the most creative, broadest sweeping suggestions in order to secure the future of every school. At least one proposal suggested that Lester B Pearson become a bilingual school board. Several proposals spoke of offering a "mother tongue" level of French instruction, and of the board attempting to attract Francophone students in order to bolster its declining English enrolment.

While keeping neighbourhood schools open and promoting bilingualism are both laudable goals, several schools were quick to underline that children from impoverished neighbourhoods and children with disabilities may be adversely affected by the increasing focus on French instruction.

Other presentations argued that statistics comparing programs have perhaps been misinterpreted - due to the larger number of struggling students who opt for programs with less French instruction, and to the fact that some programs associated with better rated immersion schools are only open to high academic achievers. One school in the board even requires children to pass an entrance exam, and refuses students with learning disabilities.

As Quebec's English community awaits the decisions of both the Lester B Pearson and English Montreal School Boards, the Parti Québecois has announced intentions to restrict access to English speaking daycare programs, the same way Quebec's language law limits access to all primary and secondary schools - including the many private schools that receive government subsidies. Earlier suggestions were also made that would restrict access to English CEGEPs, as well.

These moves would prevent a number of Francophones and Allophones from choosing English language services for their children at the preschool and post-secondary levels. As demand falls there could be a related reduction in availability of English language placements, even for those who do qualify for them.

Meanwhile, Quebec's Liberal government has just under one year to rewrite a law that closed the loophole used by families who could not immediately access English education. Families would pay for non-subsidized English education in private schools. This later allowed them to qualify for public English schooling. Bill 104, which closed the loophole, was found to violate minority language rights. The Supreme Court of Canada has given Quebec a grace period in which to rewrite the law such that it respects those rights.

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