SCENES Brief Presented to The Task Force on Multiculturalism

Abstract

SCENES, a professional organization for educators in English as a Second language/ Dialect (ESLlD) appreciates the adoption of the Act on Multiculturalism. The provisions therein, if consistently implemented, will make it possible for immigrant children and adults as well as Indian and Metis people to take an active part in the evolution and shaping of our Canadian society. At last people whose mother tongue is not English or French will have equal access to education and employment. The fundamental concern that we wish to bring to the attention of this Task Force is the lack of involvement of the provincial government in the provision of language training. Consequently we are lagging far behind Quebec and Manitoba in the services we can offer. Even though immigration and settlement are federal responsibilities, the Province of Saskatchewan has a mandate for education, health and social services. The provincial government must take these mandates seriously and play an active role in the co-ordination of existing ESL programmes and initiate new, more specialized programmes. It must be responsible for the development of curricula and materials and monitor and evaluate the programmes delivered in our province. As far as the English language provision for Indian and Metis children and adults is concerned the provincial government must accept its share of the responsibility for the development of a policy on bilingual education; a policy which promotes the retention of the Indian languages and strengthens the provisions for English as a Second Language/Dialect programmes.