Le territorial council the meeting of November 30th, which lasted nearly eight hours, focused in particular on the creation of three permanent foreign language instructor positionsA decision that falls within the framework of agreement signed in April with the rectorate from Guadeloupe to develop the bilingualism in the schools of Saint-Martin.
Introducing the measure, Paul Dollin, Deputy Director General, noted that these stakeholders will be placed under the responsibility of the Education Department and will be tasked with strengthening oral English skills, leading workshops and contributing to language projects in schools.
A tense vote on state responsibilities
President Louis Mussington defended the scheme as “essential for the future of our young people,” while regretting that the state is not fully assuming its share “We have ten stakeholders, the State is dragging its feet in terms of support. WaitingGiven the importance of the device, we provide the funding”.
Senator Annick PétrusWhile supportive of the principle, she was concerned about the method. recalled that the State is still waiting for the “evaluation document” requested since 2021 “Without this copy, the State will not budge. Only a limited number of students have access to bilingualism in our schools. What about educational justice and equity for those who do not have access?” Today, we are bearing this cost because we are not moving quickly enough on the work that has been requested of us.The president of the COM, who had commissioned a service provider to draft the missing document, then promised that by next Friday, a copy of the evaluation report of the existing system would be available.
Daniel Gibbs, who voted against it, denounced a “non-compliant” approach “Bilingualism is a matter for the State. We support our youth, but do things properly, as the senator said.” Third Vice-President Dominique Louisy, on the other hand, believes that waiting for Paris would mean never making progress: “The State wants us to speak only one language, French. They don’t want us to say English, but rather Saint-Martin Creole.” The government must understand that there is not just one language in France.”.
Senator Pétrus stressed the importance of providing the elements required by the Ministry of National Education in order to finally engage the State in this project provided for by the organic law: “If this support is not then effective, we will have the right to demand it loudly and clearly”.
Despite the tensions, the resolution was adopted 16 votes in favor, 4 against. This vote illustrates a consensus on the objective—strengthening bilingualism—but a profound disagreement on the path to achieve it.
See also: https://www.faxinfo.fr/education-vers-un-enseignement-bilingue-renforce-a-saint-martin/
Source: Faxinfo https://faxinfo.fr/en/conseil-territorial-trois-nouveaux-postes-pour-renforcer-le-bilinguisme-dans-un-debat-politique-anime/
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