We, the undersigned residents of Manitoba, recognize the vital role that heritage language programs play in enriching the educational landscape of our province.  In particular, we express our deep concern regarding the future of the English-German Bilingual Program in the River East Transcona School Division (RETSD), and urge the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba to take immediate action to protect and expand these important educational opportunities.

Whereas:

1.  The English-German Bilingual Program has been a cornerstone of language education in Manitoba since 1981, providing students with a unique opportunity to study in German for 50% of their school day at the elementary school level.  This program is the only public school offering of its kind in the province, providing not only language proficiency but also cultural understanding.  The program allows students to earn the Deutsches Sprachdiplom, an internationally recognized diploma of German language proficiency, opening doors for further academic study in Germany as well as providing transfer credits for university.

2.  Census data from 2021 indicates a demand for German language education, with over 18,000 Manitobans speaking German at home.  Moreover, there are over 3 million Canadians of German heritage, many of whom live in Manitoba.  This growing interest in German underscores the importance of the English-German Bilingual Program in preserving and promoting the German language and culture in our province.

3.  Access to this program has become increasingly restricted, with students from both within and outside the RETSD being denied entry in recent years.  Advocacy groups, such as Manitoba Parents for German Education, have faced resistance to open dialogue with the River East Transcona School Board and have been denied opportunities to present their case regarding the future of the program.  Furthermore, the RETSD has stated that catchment boundaries could be redrawn at any time, complicating access for students.

4.  The success and sustainability of the English-German Bilingual Program depend on the ability of students to continue their education in the program from elementary school through to high school graduation. Many students and their families have worked diligently to ensure that this program remains a viable option, and the recent barriers to entry and continuity are deeply troubling.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

1.  To urge the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning and the Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage, and Tourism to take immediate action to protect and ensure the continuity of the English-German Bilingual Program in the RETSD.  This includes ensuring greater accessibility for families wishing to enroll their children in the program, particularly for students residing outside of a participating school’s catchment area.  The government must protect heritage language programs under The Public Schools Act before these programs are pushed into the private sector.

2.  To recognize the importance of heritage language education in enhancing students' personal and cultural identity, and expanding their cultural, economic, educational, and professional opportunities.  The government's goal to “provide the opportunity for all Manitoba students to study other languages, in addition to English and French, regardless of their ethnocultural background” (https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/policy/heritage/) should be realized through policy and action that guarantees long-term support for heritage language programs for heritage languages like German.

3.  To implement policy that ensures continuity for students who begin their education in the English-German Bilingual Program in elementary school, allowing them to continue in the program through to Grade 12 graduation. This policy should ensure that students and families who have committed to the program have the support and resources necessary to complete their bilingual education.

Conclusion:

The English-German Bilingual Program in Manitoba is a vital part of our province's educational framework, offering students the chance to learn a language that enhances their understanding of the world, deepens their cultural connections, and prepares them for a globalized future.  We call upon the government of Manitoba to take immediate and decisive action to protect this program, ensure its accessibility for all families, and promote the value of heritage language education for generations to come.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, and the Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage, and Tourism to act in the best interest of Manitoba’s students, families, and educators, and to safeguard heritage language programs as an integral part of our public education system.