New French program: FSE and FAE want rollout delayed until 2027

Teachers’ unions are asking the Quebec government to delay the rollout of the new French curriculum until 2027.

On Friday, Education Minister Bernard Drainville announced the new program will be piloted this year in about 50 classrooms, before being implemented in all schools in fall 2026.

The program updates the vocabulary list for elementary students, places greater emphasis on oral communication and highlights the study of Quebec literature, among other changes.

But teachers need more time to adapt, said Fédération des syndicats de l’enseignement (FSE) president Richard Bergevin in an interview. “This rollout is much too fast,” he said. “Will we have the time and the means to train teachers properly?”

Bergevin is urging Drainville to push back mandatory implementation of the program to the 2027 school year.

The Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) echoed that request, saying a “voluntary” rollout in 2026 followed by full implementation in 2027 would be more “respectful”.

“This is an opportunity to truly listen to teachers,” said France-Dominique Béland, the FAE’s vice-president for pedagogical life, in a statement.

Under the new program, each student will be required to participate in at least five cultural experiences per year. Students must also read a minimum of 10 texts or books annually, at least half of which must highlight Quebec and francophone culture.

“Every school day should be an opportunity for our students to learn to speak, read and write better in French,” Drainville said in a statement Friday.

“With this renewed program, we are placing French and Quebec culture at the heart of the school experience,” he added.

Bergevin welcomed the focus on the French language but questioned whether teachers and schools will have the resources. “When the minister talks about cultural outings or novels, schools currently have limited resources,” he said.

In a period of cutbacks, the FAE wants Drainville to guarantee that funding will be available so students can access meaningful cultural experiences.

“How will these activities be funded, when direct services to students have been cut and reinvestments remain conditional?” Béland asked.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews