St. Lucia to Introduce Kwéyòl Language in Schools

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The St. Lucia government Wednesday said that a pilot program geared towards the teaching of the indigenous Kwéyòl language or Creole in schools will begin in 15 schools during the 2024/25 academic year.

creolescPilot programme to teach Creole in schools in St. LuciaA statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said that the push to include the indigenous Kwéyòl language in the school curriculum spans four decades and that on  Emancipation Day in August 2022, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre had announced the intention of the government to Kwéyòl part of the school curriculum.

The statement said that Education Minister Shawn Edward, has since confirmed that the  groundbreaking St. Lucia Kwéyòl Curriculum Pilot Programme will officially roll out in 15 local schools in the 2024/25 academic year.

”For the first time, our students will receive Kwéyòl instructions in school. By including Kwéyòl instructions in the national school curriculum, the government is demonstrating its commitment to preserving our heritage for future generations,” the statement said.

Kwéyòl is a variety of Antillean Creole, and like other varieties spoken in the Caribbean, it combines the syntax of African language origins and a Latin-based vocabulary as shared by the French. Like its similar Dominican counterpart, some words are derived from the English, French and African languages.

Kwéyòl is a French-based creole language that is widely spoken here. Though it is not an official language, the government  and media houses here present information in Kwéyòl alongside English.