PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Item 12
Physical Planning, Finance, and Building
Motion
Submitted by: Jill Promoli
Moved by: Jill Promoli
Seconded by: Karla Bailey
Whereas the cost to expand bussing for secondary French Immersion students is currently outside the budget for transportation allotted to the Peel District School Board by the Ministry of Education;
And whereas many French Immersion students struggle to continue their education in the FI stream in secondary school due to challenges with available transportation;
And whereas the Council of Ontario Directors of Education has cited a critical shortage in available French language teachers in Ontario;
And whereas there has been an increased demand for French language education in Ontario;
And whereas greater access to French education at the secondary level may prepare more students to become French language educators following their post-secondary studies;
And whereas the Minister of Education has expressed a willingness to address challenges with existing funding formulas to better meet the needs of Ontario students;
And whereas a 2021 French-language Working Group report to the Ministry of Education called for an increase in funding for French language education to help address this shortage in French language teachers;
Therefore be it resolved that the Peel District School Board Trustees write a letter to the Minister of Education requesting a review of funding for bussing for secondary French Immersion students to enable students to continue their studies in the FI stream.