When local parents began a journey four years ago to bring a French Immersion program into Innisfail’s École St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School in Innisfail it was heralded as a momentous initiative that would enrich the cultural fabric of the community.
It marked a significant and proper bonding of Catholic education and quality French education to Innisfail’s families, who saw the value of a second language for their children’s future, along with giving the Innisfail community an added cultural edge.
In four years the French Immersion initiative grew from a tiny Kindergarten class to a program of 34 students in four grades.
How disappointed and shocked these citizens must have been when three weeks ago they learned at the first meeting of French Immersion parents in more than a year that their program, which has shown regular growth since being introduced in the fall of 2007, was considered for termination by the Board of the Red Deer Catholic Regional Division No. 39.
Parents learned from the Board that there were mounting concerns, including lower than expected enrolment numbers, students transferring to the English program and a decrease in funding from the Alberta government.
But what was worse for parents was the Board’s termination proposal was being put forward without a full and fair consultative process with the folks that mattered most. In fact, parents only learned about the potential fate of the program when they attempted to download the agenda off the Board’s web site for April 5 meeting.
Parents rightfully countered there should have been a much earlier meeting planned between the Board and French Immersion parents, not to simply announce a proposed termination of the program but to work together to find solutions, particularly on program promotion and building kindergarten enrolment, the latter a legitimate concern to both parties.
The key issue brought forward here is communication. While the Board can rightfully put forward the argument of funding shortfalls, always an ongoing concern for quality education in all areas of the province, it has a duty to promptly bring stakeholders to the table to find mutually acceptable formulas to continue vital programs for students and the community.
There is no doubt French Immersion at École St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School is small compared to other jurisdictions but that is not a reason to make it so easily dispensable as to not warrant a full and fair consultative process with stakeholders.
There is more at stake here than just one school, one program. We are also talking about the community of Innisfail, which quietly perhaps, has grown significantly because of the hard committed work of a small, albeit important group of citizens who wanted to make their Town richer by adding an important cultural flavour.
The Board did decide April 5 to pull back from immediate termination plans and continue the school’s French Immersion program for one year. There is a Board meeting next month to discuss options for its continuation. At some level parents will be involved. This could be an exhausting and emotional process. That is fine. A more open process should have been done in the first place.
And whatever the outcome, at least parents and the program will at least be given the appearance of a fair hearing. That much they are owed.
