Teachers’ unions are asking the Quebec government to delay the rollout of the new French curriculum until 2027.

On Friday, Education Minister Bernard Drainville announced the new program will be piloted this year in about 50 classrooms, before being implemented in all schools in fall 2026.

The program updates the vocabulary list for elementary students, places greater emphasis on oral communication and highlights the study of Quebec literature, among other changes.

But teachers need more time to adapt, said Fédération des syndicats de l’enseignement (FSE) president Richard Bergevin in an interview. “This rollout is much too fast,” he said. “Will we have the time and the means to train teachers properly?”

Bergevin is urging Drainville to push back mandatory implementation of the program

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