Colwood Secures Site for New French-Language School

Colwood, a community in British Columbia’s West Shore, has been selected as the future site for a new French-language school. The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF), the province’s public school board for French-speaking students, has purchased land for this purpose. This development marks an important step in expanding educational options for the region’s growing francophone community.

The new school in Colwood will join existing CSF institutions in Saanich and Esquimalt, making it the third francophone school in Greater Victoria. This initiative aims to ensure that the local education system adequately supports the needs of the thriving francophone population. A recent news release from the provincial government emphasized the necessity of these schools to foster a supportive environment for students.

To facilitate the land acquisition, the government of British Columbia has allocated $25 million. Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “As more families choose Colwood as their home, it’s encouraging to see plans moving forward to support all young learners, including those in the francophone community.” She added that she looks forward to seeing the plans develop into a vibrant educational institution.

Expansion of Francophone Education in B.C.

In addition to the Colwood initiative, land in Abbotsford has also been designated for a new francophone school. These two schools will contribute to the network of 47 public francophone schools currently operating throughout British Columbia. Bowinn Ma, the Minister of Infrastructure, highlighted the importance of culturally relevant education, stating, “Francophone families deserve schools that reflect and support their language and culture.”

While the provincial government has committed to supporting the land acquisition, the CSF must submit a formal request for both new schools as part of future budget discussions. This request will be considered alongside proposals from other school districts across the province. Once approved, the CSF will collaborate with the government to create comprehensive business plans for the schools. These plans will outline crucial details such as the schools’ size, design, student capacity, and anticipated timelines for opening.

This development represents a significant investment in bilingual education and reflects the commitment of the British Columbia government to support its diverse communities. The new schools are expected to play a vital role in meeting the educational needs of francophone families and fostering a sense of belonging within the broader community.