Released: February 29, 2008

Vancouver, BC - Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon is celebrating another enrolment increase in French immersion. According to newly released data from the BC Ministry of Education, public school enrolment has reached 41,002, an increase of 1,492 students over last year.  At the same time, overall enrolment dropped by 5,125 students from 587,816 to 582,691. 

This is the tenth consecutive year of growth in French immersion programs: almost 35 per cent more students are enrolled than in 2000/01.

"Once again, we are seeing sustained growth across the province in French immersion. Parents from Chetwynd to Ladysmith and from Castlegar to Vancouver recognize the benefits of second language-learning and are demanding that their children have access to French programs. Many school boards are listening," noted Marcela Navarro, president of Canadian Parents for French - BC & Yukon Branch. 

“With more and more parents determined that their children be well prepared for an increasingly mobile and globalized economy, convinced of the academic benefits of  second language learning, and cognisant of the importance of knowing both of Canada’s official languages, CPF anticipates that demand will continue to increase", Navarro stated. "We are projecting an increase to 44,000 students by 2010, and that may in fact be a conservative estimate."

Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon is a non-governmental, parent-led organization promoting French-second-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth.  The BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada with 7,200 members

For more information, please contact:
Nancy Taylor, Interim Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Toll free: 1-866-257-7970 BC & Yukon; in Greater Victoria: 250-655-5067

Attached: Enrolment Fact Sheet 2000/01 to 2007/08
Source: BC Ministry of Education www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/enrol/student.php

BC Ministry of Education French Immersion Public School Enrolment 2000–2008 (Student Headcount)