The government has unveiled a new education plan for the francophone sector to address the current needs of a population that has changed since the last plan was released in 2016.
The new plan sets progressive objectives to ensure continuous improvement, helping children and youth achieve lasting success while taking into account the realities and needs of the francophone sector.
The plan's publication stems from the government's commitment to develop a new education plan in collaboration with educators, support staff, education experts and partners, and parents to define a shared vision of education over the next 12 years.
"This plan outlines the guiding principles for the long-term development of francophone education in New Brunswick," said Premier Susan Holt. "We developed this plan by working closely with our partners, conducting extensive consultations and listening carefully to educators, students, families and communities. This is a commitment we made to the people of New Brunswick, and we are proud to have honoured it."
Ensemble pour la réussite! (together for success!) includes three-year action plans, as well as specific metrics and annual targets.
"Ensemble pour la réussite! is the culmination of an exhaustive 18-month process of reflection and consultation rooted in the strengths of our Acadian and francophone education system," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. "In a constantly changing world, our system needs to adapt to ensure that learning is solid and meaningful, with a focus on numeracy and literacy, as well as on identity-building, for each learner, from birth to Grade 12, benefiting the Acadian and francophone community and the province as a whole."
The plan builds on existing government commitments, including:
- Investing $2.2 billion this year in education and early childhood development.
- Setting up school breakfast and lunch programs so that no child goes hungry in class.
- Implementing six major school infrastructure projects in 2026-27, including mid-life upgrades for École Sainte-Anne in Fredericton and École Mathieu-Martin in Dieppe.
- Making targeted investments in staffing in both sectors, including:
- $19.3 million to hire 210 additional educational assistants.
- $3.7 million for 40 additional education support teachers and 20 additional guidance counsellors.
- $7.2 million last year to add a fourth step to the salary grid for early childhood educators, enabling more than 2,000 people to receive a pay raise, with the aim of retaining and attracting qualified staff and guaranteeing children consistent, high-quality care and education during their most formative years.
- $8.5 million to support inclusion in the early childhood sector.
The plan sets out three conditions for success:
- A systemic and proactive response to the growing diversity of needs.
- Initial and ongoing training for educators.
- Educator retention and recruitment.
It also defines three priority areas:
- Building stronger foundations for learning (birth to Grade 5).
- Developing skills for success in life (Grade 6 to Grade 12).
- Building unity in a changing world (birth to Grade 12).
The three-year action plans will define the concrete measures, operational priorities and resources needed to move the plan forward. The first of these three-year plans will cover the years 2026 to 2029.
"We welcome the publication of this plan, which carries a common vision that goes beyond partisan lines, and we are doubly encouraged that the notion of universal pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds is included in such an important document," said Eric Godin, president of the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick.
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