Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter
The New Frontiers School Board is celebrating a big win.
After ten years of petitioning the government for permanent status for its Health, Assistance and Nursing program, the Ministère de l’Education has finally given the course a green light.
The New Frontiers School Board (NFSB) director general, Mike Helm, confirmed that the board received the official letter granting the program permanent status early last week, with just enough time to ensure those registered at the Chateauguay Valley Career Education Centre in Ormstown could start as planned on August 28.
Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette was on hand the day before to announce the good news. “You never stopped, you never gave up, and that makes all the difference,” she said, during an emotionally charged visit to the vocational school.
Exuberant NFSB administrators, teachers, and staff welcomed the MNA and her attachée Marie-Claude Picard, who were just as excited by the news. “Everyone worked so hard, and we would not have this result today if everyone had not shown how important it is for our region,” said Mallette, while referencing the consistent municipal and community support for the program that has been evident for over a decade.
The NFSB was authorized to run the course in 2006, but on a temporary basis, meaning the board required government permission each year to renew the program. In 2018, Mallette’s predecessor, Claire Isabelle, secured a three-year term for the program, which led to a push for permanency.
“It is many years in the making,” acknowledged Helm, who admitted he was growing concerned that the program would not start on time – or possibly at all, given the government’s delayed response. “We’ve been working so hard to demonstrate and to improve for so many years, and we’ve thought we’ve had very strong cases in the past,” he said.
“It’s quite incredible what everybody has pulled in and has done in order for this to happen,” he added, while suggesting the permanent status will be life-changing.
“Our teachers and staff have had to live that uncertainty every single time that we have gone through this process; [whereas] now, for the first time, moving forward, they won’t have to live this anymore,” said Helm.
“It’s a game-changer for us as well, because it just takes off that stress and that workload,” he added, referring to the countless hours individuals would spend each year preparing the application to continue the program. “It is a lot of time and energy that can now be placed in other areas,” he explained.
John Ryan, the chair of the NFSB council of commissioners, likened the announcement to a classic overnight success story. “It took years to do because people were not okay to give up on it after so much effort,” he said. “There are good people out there at all levels, and I think we lined them up this time,” he added.
“It is going to take a bit to absorb,” Ryan admitted. “It is the type of news we need,” he continued, “And it is going to help us face other challenges in the future. It’s a big win.”