Legitimizing Creole: From the Margins to the Heart of Education

In a powerful address during the National Creole Language Consultation, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education delivered a message that will be remembered as a cultural turning point. With conviction and clarity, she reaffirmed the government's commitment to bringing Kwéyòl (Creole) into the nation's classrooms—not as a novelty, but as a legitimate language of identity, education, and development.

Earlier this year, during the DBS Reading Competition, Prince Wadix (Ambassador Leroy Charles) publicly asked whether Creole would ever be introduced into the school system. In that moment, she responded hesitantly, "We will try to get Creole in the schools." Months later, she stood before a national audience to confidently declare that Creole was officially introduced in schools in September — a historic step forward in Dominica's cultural and educational journey.

"Not Merely a Discussion on Language"

"It is both an honor and a profound sense of responsibility that I stand today for this critical national consultation," she began. "We are here not merely to discuss language, but to deliberate on the very soul of our country, to chart a course for its future and to affirm the identity of our people."

The theme of the consultation — "Legitimizing Creole: From Vernacular to Vehicle of Identity, Education and Development" — framed the gathering as more than a policy discussion. It was, as she described, both "a mission and a manifesto."

She emphasized that Kwéyòl is more than a medium of communication; it is the language of lullabies and proverbs, humor and wisdom, family and community. "Say something in English and then say the same thing in Creole," she noted with a smile, "and it sounds so much sweeter. It is the code of our homes and the rhythm of our hearts."

Dismantling the False Choice

The speech traced the historical stigma surrounding Creole. For decades, students were forbidden to speak Creole in schools, and adults often used it to exclude children from conversations. This contributed to a harmful false dichotomy — the belief that one must choose between Creole and Standard English.

"This is a fallacy which we must collectively dismantle," she asserted. "Global research has shown that a strong foundation in one's mother tongue is not a barrier to learning additional languages. It is, in fact, the strongest possible launch pad."

From Policy to Action

This historic shift is not symbolic alone — it is being actively implemented. The Ministry of Education has collaborated with the Komité Pou Etid Kwéyòl (KEK) to develop a draft Creole curriculum, led on the Ministry side by Ms. Celestine and Ms. Charlene White-Christian. Alongside this, a Creole dictionary is being developed, laying the foundation for standardization and academic rigor.

"These are not mere documents gathering dust on a shelf," she stressed. "They are the blueprints for a transformative shift in the education landscape."

Timetables in schools have already been adjusted to include at least one hour of Creole per class per day, marking the beginning of systemic integration. She issued a warm invitation to community members: "If any of you can teach, feel free to visit our schools. Work with the children. Where teachers cannot, your support is welcome."

Addressing Real Challenges

The Ministry has also taken a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead. A previous program, Pause for a Creole Cause, was well-intentioned but faltered due to a lack of teacher confidence and resources. "Not all of our teachers are confident speakers of Creole," she admitted. "To simply mandate the teaching of Creole without preparing teachers would be to set everyone up for failure."

The new approach will focus on robust teacher training, curriculum development, and resource creation to ensure that educators are fully equipped to teach the language with confidence and pride.

A National Effort Beyond the Classroom

"This consultation must be the catalyst for a coordinated national effort," she declared. She outlined key priorities for the months ahead:

• Finalizing the draft Creole curriculum and implementing it in phases.
• Training current and future teachers using the new dictionary and curriculum.
• Developing engaging textbooks, readers, and digital resources for students.
• Encouraging media, artists, parents, and community leaders to use and celebrate Creole in all spheres of life.

"Legitimizing Creole is not the work of the Ministry alone," she concluded. "It requires the passion of advocates, the expertise of linguists, the dedication of teachers, and the will of the entire Dominican community. Let us transform our Creole from the language of the home to the language of the halls of learning. Let us empower our children to be truly bilingual, fully grounded in their identity and equipped to excel on the global stage."

A New Chapter Begins

With these words, the consultation did more than acknowledge the value of Creole — it set in motion a national educational shift. The language that once lived in whispers on playgrounds and in family kitchens is now making its way boldly into classrooms, textbooks, and formal education structures.