MONTREAL - The English Montreal School Board has abandoned a plan to restrict the number of language programs offered in its schools.
After an angry backlash from many parents, the board has decided it will keep its bilingual program, in addition to its French immersion and core English streams.
The EMSB had proposed dropping the bilingual program, which offered more French than the core stream but not as much as immersion, after a study indicated students did better in the immersion program.
However parents argued that the study was not comprehensive.
Linda Perez, chair of the Central Parents' Committee, said many were upset about the lack of consultation.
"It's a big win because the parents' choice has come through."
"The parents spoke loud and clear in the survey and the consultation that was done last year, that parents wanted to keep their programs," said Perez.
The board says it will still recommend that parents choose the french immersion program and at least one commissioner said they will revisit the subject in the future.
Wagar High School may reopen
The future of Wagar High School in Cote St. Luc was also up for debate at Wednesday's meeting.
After months of public consultations, councillors voted to recommend the school be reopened in 2011, after it closed in 2005 due to dwindling enrolment.
Parents who live in Cote St. Luc have expressed an interest in making the revived Wagar High School a destination school that will have a strong sports program, along with offerings in several languages including Hebrew and Italian.
A final decision has not yet been made, and any re-opening will require that at least 60 students sign on for the first year of classes.
