St. Lucia to introduce Kwéyòl language in schools

The government of St. Lucia has announced the launch of a pilot program to introduce the Indigenous Kwéyòl language, also known as Creole, into schools.

The program will be implemented in 15 institutions during the 2024/25 academic year, marking a historic step towards preserving the island’s cultural heritage.

According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, efforts to include Kwéyòl in the school curriculum have been ongoing for over four decades. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre reaffirmed this commitment on Emancipation Day in August 2022, when he announced the government’s intention to make Kwéyòl part of the formal curriculum.

Education Minister Shawn Edward has now confirmed that the groundbreaking St. Lucia Kwéyòl Curriculum Pilot Programme will officially begin, a milestone that has been eagerly anticipated.

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

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Kwéyòl, a variety of Antillean Creole, is deeply rooted in St. Lucian culture. Like other Creole languages spoken across the Caribbean, it evolved from the interactions between enslaved Africans and European colonizers, primarily the French. It combines African syntax with a Latin-based vocabulary, mostly French, though some words are also derived from English and African languages. Despite not having official status, Kwéyòl remains widely spoken across St. Lucia and plays a vital role in the island’s identity.

The language is especially prominent in rural areas and continues to thrive through oral tradition, festivals, and cultural events such as Jounen Kwéyòl, celebrated annually in October. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to preserve Kwéyòl as younger generations become more reliant on English, which is the island’s official language. Many government communications and media outlets already present information in both Kwéyòl and English.

With this pilot program, the St. Lucian government hopes to strengthen the role of the language in everyday life, ensuring that future generations are equipped with the linguistic tools to maintain this vital aspect of their heritage.