[EDLING:1207] Government Plan Helps Francophone Students Reach Higher

[Francis M Hult]

http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/January2006/26/c0830.html

CNW Telbec

Government Plan Helps Francophone Students Reach Higher 

Advisory Group To Improve Access To French-Language Postsecondary
    Programs

    OTTAWA, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is working to ensure the
success of francophone students by establishing an advisory committee on
improving access to French-language postsecondary programs, Chris Bentley,
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.
    "Although many francophone students pursue a postsecondary education,
learning often takes place in English because of a lack of French-language
programs," Bentley said prior to the first meeting of the committee. "By
finding ways to expand opportunities for French-language education, we will
not only strengthen the education and skills of our people, but also
strengthen Ontario's economic advantage."
    The advisory committee is part of the government's plan to invest
$10.2 million in 2005-06, rising to $55 million in 2009-10, to help
postsecondary institutions deliver programs that improve access to
postsecondary opportunities for francophones, aboriginals, persons with
disabilities and those who would be the first in their families to attend
college or university.
    Part of this funding will be used to help French-language colleges and
bilingual universities foster a more vibrant francophone postsecondary
education community in the province.
    "I am pleased this outstanding group of individuals has agreed to offer
their extensive experience and expertise as we try to help francophone
students not only access French-language postsecondary programs, but also
succeed in their studies," said Bentley.
    "Our government is committed to the development of the francophone
community - and access to a French-language education system, from
kindergarten to the postsecondary level, is a key element in that
development," said Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Francophone Affairs.
"Ontario as a whole will benefit as quality advice and the perspective of the
advisory committee members help us strengthen our postsecondary system."
    "We are looking forward with great anticipation to receiving the advice
and wisdom of such a distinguished advisory committee on the important issue
of young Franco-Ontarians having access to postsecondary education," said
Richard Patten, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges
and Universities and MPP for Ottawa Centre.
    "The Conseil provisoire of the Assemblée de la Francophonie de L'Ontario
welcomes this important new committee," said Simon Lalande, president of the
Conseil provisoire of the AFO. "The government is following through on its
Reaching Higher plan to further develop French-language postsecondary
institutions across the province. We feel this is a positive development and
are encouraged by it."
    The funding is part of Reaching Higher: The McGuinty Government Plan for
Postsecondary Education, which was unveiled in the 2005 Budget. Through the
plan, the government will invest $6.2 billion more in postsecondary education
and training by 2009-10 - the single largest infusion of funds in the sector
in 40 years.
    "The brains and know-how of a highly skilled workforce are the economic
edge of the 21st century," added Bentley. "That's why through our Reaching
Higher plan, we will ensure more Ontarians have the opportunity to pursue a
college or university education, or some other form of skills training, which
is both affordable and accessible."

    Disponible en français

                              www.edu.gov.on.ca
                        www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca


    Backgrounder
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        ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON FRENCH-LANGUAGE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

    As the province with the largest francophone community outside Quebec,
Ontario has more than 100,000 French-language learners. The Ontario
government, in partnership with the federal government, provides more than
$130 million annually to support the province's two French-language colleges
and six bilingual universities.
    The support from the federal government is provided through agreements
negotiated under the Official Languages in Education Program. Under an
agreement reached last November, Ontario will receive more than $300 million
over a four-year period for minority language education and second language
instruction at the elementary, high school and postsecondary levels.
    Although many francophone students pursue a postsecondary education,
learning often takes place in English because of a lack of French-language
programs. Currently, there are about 100 French-language programs at colleges
and 150 at universities. As well, the programs are unevenly distributed across
the province and some areas of study, such as sciences/technology, health
care, and human and community services, remain underserved.
    Ontario's French-language colleges and bilingual universities also face
additional costs, such as recruiting staff and faculty from a small number of
bilingual candidates. The colleges also struggle to offer a reasonable range
of programs and services, and the universities offer a limited range of
undergraduate and graduate programs entirely in French.

    To expand the opportunities for participation in higher education, the
new advisory committee on French-language postsecondary education will advise
on areas such as:

      -  Improving access and success in postsecondary studies
      -  Examining approaches to address long-term challenges, such as the
         cost of expanding program offerings and developing learning
         materials
      -  Defining priority research initiatives that could be carried out.

    Members of the advisory committee on French-language postsecondary
education are:

    André Brazeau, president, University of Ottawa Student Federation
    Alain Dupuis, president, Federation of Franco-Ontarian Youth
    Monika Ferenczy, president, Canadian Parents for French
    Christiane Fontaine, executive director, Le Regroupement des intervenants
    en santé et services sociaux de l'Ontario
    Denis Hubert, designated president, Collège Boréal
    Jonathan Irwin, representative, College Student Alliance
    Célia Jutras, commissioner of the francophone constituency group,
    Canadian Federation of Students
    Dr. Normand Labrie, representative, Provincial Consultative Committee on
    Francophone Affairs - Office of Francophone Affairs
    Andrée Lortie, president, La Cité collégiale
    Julie Mbengi Lutété, vice-president, Provincial Union of Francophone
    Racial and Ethnocultural Minorities
    Robert Major, vice-rector, University of Ottawa
    Dr. Ken McRoberts, principal, Glendon College - York University
    Ghislaine Pilon, vice-president, Parents partenaires en éducation
    Claire Thibideau, president, Association of Principals and
    Vice-Principals of French Language Schools
    Jean-Claude Trottier, president, La chambre économique de l'Ontario
    Dr. Judith Woodsworth, president, Laurentian University.


    Disponible en français

                              www.edu.gov.on.ca



For further information: Jen Norman, Minister's Office, (416) 326-1615; 
Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746; Public Inquiries:   
(416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892