The Honourable Jeffrey E. Lantz, Minister of Education, saluted the 25th anniversary of French Immersion on Prince Edward Island and encouraged current and former students to attend a special celebration to recognize the anniversary on July 29.
"We are very fortunate in PEI to have a French Immersion program that has been in existence since 1975," said Minister Lantz. "Our program continues to grow to meet increasing interest and participation. I am very pleased to be a part of the 25th anniversary of French Immersion in our province."
Past and present students of French Immersion will gather at the Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean on Saturday, July 29 to celebrate this silver anniversary. The anniversary party begins at 7:00 pm and includes an all-you-can-eat hip of beef buffet and entertainment in the form of a cabaret. Some former students, teachers and parents will also comment on the importance and influence of French Immersion.
Minister Lantz said it is important to recognize the impact of French Immersion on students throughout the years.
Grade 1 French Immersion officially began in September 1975. Grade 7 Late Immersion began in 1976. In the past 25 years, more than 5,000 students have graduated from French Immersion programs. The first classes of French Immersion in PEI were at Spring Park Elementary which had 75 in its initial class and Sherwood Elementary which had an initial class of 25 students.
"We have certainly grown since 1975," said Minister Lantz. "Our school system supports French Immersion in 25 Island schools from Tignish to Montague."
According to Statistics Canada, Prince Edward Island has had the largest proportional growth of bilingual teenagers in the country between 1981 and 1996 – from 8.7 per cent to 23.5 per cent.
"Our French Immersion program has had a tremendous impact on our Island youth," said Minister Lantz. "Our teachers and programs have kept Island students interested in learning our other official language. It is a tremendous success story. I encourage all current and past students and teachers of French Immersion to participate in the evening anniversary celebration on July 29."
For more information on the anniversary celebration, please contact Rachelle Arsenault at (902) 368 4680 or Gail Lecky at (902) 368 7240.