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Immersion numbers down AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter The Gold Pan city is bucking the trend when it comes to french immersion enrolment. The Canadian Parents for French released a report Wednesday indicating enrolment in the immersion programs up across the province – not so in School District 28. “Province-wide, French Immersion enrolment has been increasing for 16 consecutive years,” the release states. “The booming popularity of this well-established program is putting pressure on many local school boards to accommodate the growing demand from families.” From 255 School District 28 french immersion students enrolled in 2004/05 to 194 in 2013/14 the drop in numbers has been steadily decreasing over the years. Not so in other districts. Provincially there were 35,636 french immersion students enrolled in the 2004/05 year climbing to 49,450 in the 2013/14 year. “We believe French programs are popular in British Columbia 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,” President Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon Patti Holm said. “We urge parents, educators, and local decision makers to work together to plan for French immersion growth and to improve learning outcomes through standardized benchmarks and authentic learning experiences.” Other key report findings: • As of the 2013/2014 school year there were more than 49,000 students in French immersion, or 8.8 per cent of B.C.’s public school enrolment. • There are over 187,000 students in B.C. learning French through the basic Core French program, or one-third of all students. • Over the past six years overall student enrolment in Quesnel decreased by 614 students, or 15.4 per cent. Over the same six years French immersion enrolment in Quesnel has decreased by 14 students or 6.7 per cent. • Province-wide, French immersion attrition (drop-out) is highest between grade seven and grade eight.
Every Child Matters Breanna Morningstar Tso performs the drums and sings during Orange Shirt Day at LeBourdais Park, Tuesday. The event saw hundreds come out to honour the generations of residential school survivors, listen to moving music and speeches and witness the unveiling of a carving and monument. Autumn MacDonald photo
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