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.