According to a report released today, more students in British Columbia are participating in French language programs than ever before, including in the the Southeast Kootenay (School District No. 5) where a new record has been set.

The report showed that province-wide, French immersion enrolment has been increasing for 17 consecutive years. The booming popularity of this well-established program is creating a shortage of qualified French language teachers.

“We believe French programs are popular in Southeast Kootenay because they are widely recognized by parents as providing young students with the tools and experiences that will enrich their lives and help them prepare for the future,” said Patti Holm, President of Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon.

“We urge post-secondary institutions and immigration authorities to address the serious shortage of French language teachers in B.C.,” concluded Holm.

Canadian Parents for French is a national parent-lead organization dedicated to promoting and creating French second language opportunities for all young students.

As of the 2014/15 school year, there were over 50,000 students in French immersion in the province, or 9.10% of B.C.’s public school enrolment.

During the same school year, there were over 172,000 students in B.C. public schools learning French through the basic Core French program. This represents 31.11% of the total public school enrolment.

As of the 2014/2015 school year, there were 458 students in French immersion in Southeast Kootenay, or 8.68% of all students in the school disctrict.

Over the past six years overall student enrolment in Southeast Kootenay decreased by 102, or 1.90%. Over the same six years French immersion enrolment in Southeast Kootenay increased by 80 students, or 21.16%.

Province-wide, French immersion attrition (drop-out) is highest between Grade 7 and Grade 8.

Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon

Article Share