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Don't burn the books, says a retired French-second language teacher.

Esther Mahoney is adamant the minister of education has made the wrong decision in eliminating early french immersion from the school curriculum.

Mahoney said she cannot understand how the future delivery of French-second language instruction can be decided on the basis of what she calls a flawed report.

Program reforms announced by Education Minister Kelly Lamrock will see all students begin FSL in Grade 5 through a universal Intensive French program. Following Grade 5, after seeing how their children perform, parents will be able to choose either Immersion or a Post Intensive French program beginning in Grade 6.

"I believe, Mr. Lamrock owes all the teachers in New Brunswick, including those who are retired, an apology," Mahoney said.

"Is the message ... after 35 years we have not produced qualified teachers in this province?" asked Mahoney.

"If Mr. Lamrock thinks teachers are not qualified now, how can they be expected to be ready in September? In 12 years time, will he be there to pick up the pieces?"

Mahoney said an April 2006 brief entitled Quality Learning in French Second Language in N.B. prepared for the department of education by UNB professors Sally Rehorick, Joseph Dicks and Paula Kristmanson and department of education second-language consultant Fiona Cogswell proposes in part "...the enhancement of Core-French through the system-wide implementation of Intensive French, improvement of FI (French Immersion) and revamping of high school courses."

Additionally, said Mahoney, the results of the 2003-2004 Report Card indicate that the vast majority of French Immersion students are reaching or exceeding the quality learning agenda target of intermediate proficiency.

"Is Mr. Lamrock placing himself above the experts?" she asked. "There is no question that our second-language programs need revamping, but eliminating a program that has been proven to work the best way to do this?"

Mahoney said attrition or drop-out certainly exists in the system and high school students are faced with serious choices in grades 10-12 regarding the area of expertise they wish to pursue. Many of the courses they choose are not offered in French, so they leave the Immersion program.

"Yes, there are problems in our second-language programs. Let's fix them. An expression widely used is ‘Don't throw out the baby with the bath water.' I say, Don't throw out the water at all. Recycle it!"

She said the Intensive French program has shown some positive results, but it is important to bear in mind those students had prior instruction in Core French.

"In Lamrock's present proposal, students will not have any exposure to the language until they are thrown into the Intensive French program," she said. "He said he wants to act swiftly so parents will know soon what options will be available in September. What options? There are none left! These years will be become known as the reign of errors.

"I have made attempts to speak with many levels of government on this issue to no avail. I have tried to contact my MLA, Carmel Robichaud. She was our french-second language coordinator in District 16 and I have not been able to reach her. I have called, written and emailed and have had no response," she said. "She was very much in favour of French Immersion when she was FSL coordinator. I have not a clue as to where she went."