Minister declares Provincial French Education Day

Education Minister Tom Hedderson today declared April 26 as Provincial French Education Day, Journ�e provinciale de l��ducation en fran�ais. This date coincides with the national French for the Future/Le fran�ais pour l�avenir conference.

"It gives me great pleasure to declare today Provincial French Education Day," said Minister Hedderson. "Today, we celebrate Francophone, core French, and French immersion education, and the students and parents who recognize the importance of French language education. Learning French is a valuable educational experience for all young people. It also provides the foundation for future career opportunities."

The minister noted that French language education is offered in all school districts, and that a range of programs is available. "Intensive Core French, for example, was first introduced in our province in 1998, and since that time, the number of students registering for it has increased every year. Approximately 1,000 students are enroled in Intensive Core French programs this year. We hope days such as Provincial French Education Day will highlight the importance of French and the opportunities inherent in French language education for students," said the minister.

The designation of April 26 as Provincial French Education Day recognizes the work of French for the Future/Le fran�ais pour l�avenir, a national organization which hosts programs in many cities across Canada for high school students in immersion and French-first language education. Their goal is to encourage students to continue their studies in French.

Media contact: Nora Daly, Communications, (709) 729-1906

2005 04 26                             9:45 a.m.