Overcrowded French immersion schools a 'disservice'

P.E.I. needs more schools offering French immersion classes, says Canadian Parents for French, but the province says that won't be happening next year.

Gail Lecky, executive director for Canadian Parents for French P.E.I., told CBC News enrollment just keeps growing, in her 20 years with the group she's seen numbers increase every year.

This year there are about 4,700 children on P.E.I. in French Immersion.

Lecky said that popularity has led to overcrowding at some schools, and the obvious solution is to open up more classrooms in more schools.

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"It's a disservice to the teachers and to the administration to try and put more students in classrooms and schools," she said.

"They are losing some of their extra classrooms. Where are they taking kids when they need extra help? Where do they take them when they are not feeling well? I think those classrooms are disappearing out of overcrowded schools."

'Definitely not for September'

Rene Hurtubise, director of French programs for the province, said eventually government will have to look at how student numbers are distributed but at this point there are no plans to increase the number of schools offering French Immersion.

"Definitely not for September," he said.

"But we're always listening to the communities and we'll talk with the communities that are concerned with French Immersion delivery."

Lecky expected to see rezoning this year, especially in Charlottetown, and more schools offering French Immersion in September. She said the province needs a long range plan for French immersion.

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