Raymond Lawrence of Konmité pou Etid Kwéyòl talks progress for Kwéyòl in schools

Konmité pou Etid Kwéyòl (KEK)  (Committee for the Study of Creole) is continuing in its efforts to introduce the Creole Language in schools across Dominica.

President of KEK, Raymond Lawrence told DNO during an interview that progress has been and is being made in that regard.

According to him, in 2019 KEK in collaboration with the Ministry of Education launched a pilot project for the teaching of the Creole in primary schools. The program started with 19 primary schools. However, he said unfortunately it was affected by Covid-19, and only a few schools now have continued with the program.

“We are continuing discussions with the Ministry of Education. That’s why we ended up introducing the pilot project in 2019, so those negotiations with education have been going on for close to 10 years now,” he explained.

He continued, “We want this time now to go even broader, because the whole idea is to eventually have Creole taught in all primary schools and all secondary schools. That’s the long-term goal.”

Lawrence added that the initiative is a step-by-step process.

Furthermore, he mentioned that a Creole language curriculum has already been completed as well as a Creole publication,  ANNOU APWANN KWÉYÒL: A publication of the Konmite Pou Etid Kweyol, which was recently launched.

“The book can be used as a teaching tool in all schools in Dominica and by any member of the public who wants to learn to speak the Creole,” he explained. “It’s designed for anybody who wants to learn.”

Lawrence added, “We already have two dictionaries. It’s a new one, but not the first dictionary. Dominica has two Creole dictionaries already.”

He explained that those dictionaries can be used in schools, however the new one is more comprehensive.

“When we do get it published we will have three dictionaries that can be used not only in schools, but by anybody who wants to learn the Creole language,” Lawrence reiterated.

He added that teachers will be trained to teach the Creole language at schools.

Lawrence also stated that The Dominica State College (DSC) has a Creole language class as well as the University of the West Indies open campus, which has a conversational 6-week course.

“Here it is that the college is doing a class, also UWI is doing a class, there are some classes in primary schools, but we want to now expand the program,” Lawrence stated.

KEK has among its objectives to foster a deeper awareness and respect for our Mother Tongue – Kwéyòl. KEK was established in 1981.

KEK’s early activities included literacy classes and the celebration of Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day). The first Kwéyòl Day was held in October 1981 and has been held ever since. Simenn Kwéyòl (Creole Week) has been held since 1986. This week starts on Jounen Eritaj (Heritage Day), that is, the Sunday preceding Jounen Kwéyòl, which is celebrated on the last Friday in October.

KEK has published several books on various oral traditions such as proverbs and riddles (‘timtim’) and a Kwéyòl-English dictionary