TORONTO — The Ontario government continues to build on its commitment to strengthen French-language education in the province. Through its Priorities and Partnerships Funding (PPF) COVID-19 Equity Supports, the province is directing $500,000 toward initiatives that will provide Indigenous, equity, human rights and anti-racism resources to Francophone students, as well as targeted supports to Francophone parent organizations.
“Ontario’s investments will help ensure Francophone students learn about their history and culture, and gain access to learning recovery supports to help get students back on track,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “After two school years of disruption and uncertainty, Francophone parents will also have new tools to support their children, as Ontario moves forward with our learning recovery plan — including expanded tutoring and mental health supports.”
This equity funding announcement comes as the world marks International Francophonie Week, a celebration of the French language and Francophone culture. As part of its PPF, the Ontario government is providing:
- $200,000 facilitated through Centre de leadership et d’évaluation (CLE) in support of Francophone Indigenous resources for students from Grades 4 to 12. These include videos exploring a range of themes regarding Indigenous histories and perspectives, particularly on Treaty recognition, connection to the Land, identities and reconciliation.
- $200,000 to Le Centre franco. The funding is the result of a request by French-language boards to develop a self-paced learning module to support students’ and school staff’s understanding of current equity, human rights and anti-racism issues, initiatives and recommendations. The project consists of videos and current pedagogical resources geared toward educators of intermediate- and secondary-level students.
- $50,000 to Parents partenaires en éducation to enhance the scope of support to provincial parent organizations to leverage virtual parent networks, resources to participate in board communications and contacts to address local needs. This program provides intensified and targeted supports to parents, as learning recovery strategies are implemented.
- $50,000 to Association francophone pour l’éducation artistique en Ontario (AFÉAO) through CLE to produce a pedagogical resource focused on games, physical activities and arts from around the world to celebrate the richness of various cultures and communities. This resource will be accessible in the virtual learning environment (VLE) of the French-language school boards.
“Francophone education is critically important to Ontario’s long-term prosperity, which is why our government is investing in initiatives to support Francophone students and parents,” said Sam Oosterhoff, the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education. “The Government of Ontario is proud to partner with respected stakeholder groups and Francophone parent organizations to advance understanding of equity, human rights and anti-racism issues, especially now during International Francophonie Week.”
The Priorities and Partnerships Funding COVID-19 Equity Supports fund various initiatives that help promote equity and a positive school climate, support healthy relationships, build empathy, and address bullying and cyberbullying.