New curriculums aimed at strengthening literacy in the francophone education sector are being incorporated this fall at nine high schools and three elementary schools.
"We have set a clear goal to improve literacy outcomes for New Brunswick students, and we are taking concrete steps to get there," said Premier Susan Holt. "These new curriculums put a stronger focus on reading and writing at important points in a student's education, giving teachers the tools and students the support they need to build strong foundations for learning. When we help students build these skills early, we are helping set them up for a brighter future."
The curriculums will be implemented in all kindergarten-to-Grade 2 and Grade 9 classes across the francophone sector by September 2028. The kindergarten-to-Grade 2 curriculum focuses on building strong foundations in reading, writing and oral language, while the Grade 9 curriculum builds on those foundations and develops the skills and competencies students need to succeed throughout high school and beyond.
"We are incredibly excited to unveil these new curriculums because we know sharpening these skills will have a lasting impact for students," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. "Literacy is fundamental to learning across all subject areas, and these new curriculums will help ensure students develop the skills they need at critical points in their education."
The new curriculums are being incorporated this fall as follows:
Francophone nord-est school district
- kindergarten to Grade 2
- École la Ruche - Tracadie
- Grade 9
- Centre scolaire communautaire La Fontaine - Neguac
- École Secondaire Népisiguit - Bathurst
- Polyvalente Louis-Mailloux - Caraquet
Francophone nord-ouest school district
- kindergarten to Grade 2
- Carrefour de la Jeunesse - Edmundston
- Grade 9
- Cité des Jeunes A.-M.-Sormany - Edmundston
- École Grande-Rivière - Vallée-des-Rivières (Saint-Léonard district)
- Polyvalente Alexandre-J.-Savoie - Saint-Quentin
- Polyvalente Thomas-Albert - Grand Falls
Francophone sud school district
- kindergarten to Grade 2
- École Amirault - Dieppe
- Grade 9
- Polyvalente Louis-J.-Robichaud - Shediac
- École Mathieu-Martin - Dieppe
The curriculums were developed in collaboration with the francophone school districts, teaching staff and specialists to address the unique realities of New Brunswick's francophone sector.
"Literacy is central to students' ability to make connections, understand the world around them, and thrive. I am pleased to see that we are taking thoughtful and concrete steps to strengthen it," said Ghislaine Foulem, chair of the Francophone nord-est school district education council and chair of the Conseil pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences des adultes du Nouveau-Brunswick. "Investing in literacy from an early age lays the foundation for a strong and prosperous society by shaping competent, engaged adults who are able to contribute fully to civic life."
The new curriculums are being introduced gradually over three years to ensure schools and educators have the resources, training and support they need for successful implementation. This will also allow the department and its partners to gather feedback and make adjustments as needed.
"Taking a gradual approach allows us to learn directly from educators and students as the new curriculums are introduced," said Johnson. "It gives us the opportunity to make adjustments along the way and ensure teachers have the resources and support they need before implementation across the province. This is exactly the kind of focused action our new education plan calls for to strengthen literacy and improve student success."
