ESL drop-out rate soars

A shortage of ESL teachers is resulting in drop-out rates as high as 74 per cent, some parents say.

The Coalition for Equal Access to Education says the 36,000 children enrolled in English as a second language courses in the province aren't getting the education they deserve.

Hieu Van Ngo, co-ordinator of the coalition, says some of their research shows that between 61 per cent and 74 per cent of the students drop out. And he says that there is about one ESL instructor for every 80 students.

"That's amazingly high," he said of the drop out rate. "If you think about 100 students and only less than 30 can finish high school, what kind of society do we have in the future?"

Mario Ayudo, who moved from Sudan four years ago, says he came here so his children could get a Canadian education. He says while his son and daughter speak English well, they have serious problems reading, writing and spelling.

"I'm worried their future will not be as bright as what I expected," he said.

The coalition will present a number of recommendations, including changes to the way programs are funded, to the provincial standing committee on learning and employment in June.