Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick says the province’s new 10-year education plan must do more for students learning French.

The parent-led organization welcomed government consultations on the plan but said French Second Language learners in the Anglophone sector need stronger attention.

“We welcome the government’s focus on building a stronger education system for all learners,” said Bonnie Porter, executive director of PBENB.

“At the same time, it is essential that FSL learners—and the supports they need to succeed—are clearly reflected in the next education plan.”

The group pointed to the Centre for Excellence for Language Learning as a positive step, offering extracurricular resources for students, parents and teachers.

PBENB said more system-wide support is needed to ensure consistent, high-quality opportunities for French learning beyond the classroom.

Among its recommendations, the organization is calling for French-speaking educational assistants in classrooms, more instructional time for French across grade levels, and better use of data to track student progress and attrition rates.

It also wants the province to reassess intensive and post-intensive French programs to ensure they meet evolving needs.

Jane Keith, president of PBENB, said the government’s goal of functional bilingualism for graduates will only succeed if resources match the ambition.

“This vision will only be realized if bilingual education is treated as a priority, backed by the resources, staffing, and program structures required for students to truly succeed,” she said.

PBENB is calling on the province to include its suggestions in the new plan to build a system that helps every student on their way to becoming bilingual.