The Ministry of Education has finally responded to a heated controversy that started a year ago between two school boards over a billboard.
The Greater Essex County District School Board complained the billboard, erected by the Conseil scolaire du district catholique Centre-Sud, left the impression its French immersion programs were lacking. The billboards, erected across the province, read "Reality: Education in a French language Catholic school ensures sustainable bilingualism."
"My point was that okay, it's getting a little out of hand when they're taking some swipes at other boards," says public board Chair Alan Halberstadt.
The letter from Education Minister Liz Sandals reads, "As self-governing, statutorily created corporations, school boards are responsible for making decisions about advertising and the management of board funds. Currently, there are no plans to develop a provincial guideline for ethical practices in advertising."
"It's a 'get lost' letter," says Halberstadt.
He admits the billboard was removed quickly after the complaint, and a year later, is philosophical about the experience.
"We can learn from them that they're actually out there promoting their programs and their schools, and I think we need to do a little more of that ourselves," he says.
