[lg policy] Vanuatu school language policy a threat to education NGO ’s work

[Harold Schiffman]

Vanuatu school language policy a threat to education NGO’s work

Posted at 05:34 on 18 September, 2009 UTC

A Vanuatu NGO working in schools says it will be difficult for it to
continue operating if a new language policy placing more emphasis on
French is adopted. Changes to the language policy are part of an
ongoing revision of the national curriculum. Currently, parents can
choose either an English-speaking or French-speaking school for their
children but the Ministry of Education wants to cut costs by having
tuition in both languages in all schools. It says the changes proposed
place more emphasis on French because of the similarities between
Vanuatu’s other official languages, Bislama and English.

Live and Learn’s Frankton Shadrack says donor funding only covers
resources in English. “And if we were to develop something in French
then we have to get extra funding somewhere. And also it comes back to
the individuals working in the organisation. Not one in the
organisation has the capacity to speak fluently in French and to
develop something in French so that is also another challenge we
have.”


http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=49204
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