Nova Scotia Faces Major Francophone School Shortage, Board Reports

The superintendent of Nova Scotia’s francophone school board, Michel Collette, has raised serious concerns regarding the significant shortage of francophone schools in the province. According to Collette, only 27.5 percent of eligible students are currently enrolled in French first-language education through the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP). This alarming figure stems from an analysis of 2021 census data and CSAP’s enrolment statistics for the 2023-24 academic year.

During a recent committee meeting at the legislature, Collette emphasized that nearly three out of four children entitled to receive their education in French, as outlined by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, do not have access to francophone schooling. He attributed this situation to a “significant infrastructure deficit” and pointed to geographical barriers that hinder students’ access to schools.

In some regions, students are compelled to undertake lengthy commutes. For instance, children in Amherst must travel over an hour to reach the nearest CSAP school in Truro. Collette noted that there are currently no students from Amherst enrolled in the French school system, highlighting the stark reality faced by many families seeking education in their native language.

The issue is compounded by a rapidly growing francophone population in Nova Scotia, largely due to immigration from French-speaking countries. The CSAP has reported that as of September 30, 2023, there are 6,976 students enrolled across its 23 schools, which are struggling to meet the increasing demand for French-language education.

Collette stated that the problem has been developing for over a decade, but this is the first time the board has been able to present concrete data to substantiate its claims. Following the committee meeting, he expressed hope that the province would take actionable steps to address these challenges.

In a report recently submitted to government officials, the CSAP detailed the pressing need for infrastructure improvements. In response, Tracy Barbrick, the deputy minister of education and early childhood development, announced that the department would establish a working group to address the findings of the report. Barbrick indicated that the terms of reference for this group are currently being developed.

Collette welcomed the government’s response, noting, “We do think that that is the path forward.” He acknowledged that while he cannot specify the exact number of additional schools needed, he hopes the working group will evaluate underserved areas and regions experiencing growth to create a strategic path forward.

He cited successful examples of schools that began small but expanded significantly, such as those in Tor Bay, Bridgewater, and Chezzetcook, which grew to accommodate between 300 to 500 students.

The issue of inadequate francophone education has drawn attention from political figures as well. Paul Wozney, an NDP MLA, highlighted that this problem has persisted for years, noting that it spans multiple government administrations. He criticized the current government’s capital planning for failing to allocate sufficient resources to build the necessary schools.

Barbrick highlighted some progress, revealing that two new CSAP schools opened last year, with three more included in the province’s five-year capital plan. “I think that that is a good start to get us moving in the right direction,” she stated.

As the demand for french-language education continues to grow, the future of Nova Scotia’s francophone schools hinges on effective infrastructure planning and timely action from the government.