English Schools Going The Way Of The Dodo Bird

We all know the sad state of English schools in Quebec. That's why the closing of three more English language schools wasn't surprising. The English community is fast dwindling (and yes, 1976 had a shit load to do with it. Quebec revisionism notwithstanding). Anyway, assigning blame may be a losers game. 

Still, that sound is the clinging of glasses and laughter among hard core Quebec nationalists. The less English, the better Somehow, self-mutilation is good for the French spirit. 

I pulled this interesting comment from the CBC website: 


"Let's not confuse this issue with Quebec politics. This was simply a group of elected individuals failing to represent their constituents. Mr. Tabachnick states that the LBPSB has lost 2000+ students to the French and private school systems. How does the LBPSB repond? By choosing to compete on the one facet on which they will never win - French language instruction. Parents wanting to ensure that their kids are fluently bilingual and maximize the chances of their kids remaining within Quebec will continue to choose French Elementary school system. French language instruction will continue to be better in the French system and English language instruction will be better in the English systems. At least for the foreseeable future. The LBPSB could use some education on business basics. Choosing to compete along dimensions in which you have no competitive and differentiable advantage will always be a losing proposition. Instead, the LBPSB should innovative and offer programs that parents want and provide a differentiable and sustainable advantage.

The articles posted in the media point to declining enrollment as the reason for closing schools. The fact remains that closing schools contributes to declining enrollment. Poor management and lack of vision contributes to closing schools. Declining enrollment did not close our schools, LBPSB administrators and commissioners closed our schools.