French Immersion

Just got back from that information session on the proposed changes to the French Immersion system. I have fairly strong feelings on this but I know my judgement is clouded by my personal situation (three kids in the system).

But I will say this. I think we need to rethink how very large scale public policy decisions are made in this province. This decision on French Immersion represents a huge change with wide ranging impacts (for example, apparently already some 50 French Immersion teachers have left Region 2 to go to Region 1). And now I hear that some well placed Tories are saying that if the system is changed, they will run on a platform to change it back in 2010.

Our kids shouldn’t be political ping pong balls. Major decisions like this should require a 2/3 majority in the Legislature or some form of public plebiscite. It shouldn’t be easy to make large scale public policy decisions that will have far ranging implications.

I’m not even commenting directly on this issue. I am saying that there must be decisions that must rise above the fray and once they are made it would take a serious effort to unmake them. Throwing the whole english language education system in turmoil only to have it flipped back 18 months later is crazy.

There must be a better way.