Senior Jersey politician proposes French-English bilingual schools for 2025

A Jersey politician has proposed introducing bilingual school tuition from 2025.

Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache is looking to progressively phase in the introduction of French-English bilingual lessons in three schools, beginning with reception classes.

He says the changes would bring economic, political and diplomatic advantages, as well as cultural and heritage benefits, given the island's historical ties to France.

The proposition will be debated at the next States meeting on Tuesday 10 September.

The idea of bilingual French-English primary schools has been considered since 2013.

The Education Department presented a report to the Council of Ministers in 2016 which looked at creating one but at the time, teachers were not convinced.

The report states: "A group of three headteachers believed the establishment of such a school did not provide a sufficiently broad focus for the development of languages across the entire school cohort."

On Jersey States Assembly social media, Deputy Bailhache says: "Studies have also proved that the bilingual child makes more rapid progress in other subjects too.

"Jersey is less than 15 miles from France. It is our closest neighbour and French is one of our official languages.

"If the States adopt my proposition there would be in time enormous cultural and commercial benefits, both for our children and for Jersey."

How would it work?

French lessons are already taught in schools but this proposition would see the language integrated in the teaching of other subjects so students would spend time learning topics in English and French.

The plan suggests that if bilingual schools were opened in September 2025, it would initially only be open to pupils in Reception.

The following year, bilingual lessons would be delivered to Reception and Year 1 pupils.

This staged process means it would take six years for the entire school to begin teaching bilingual lessons.

Deputy Bailhache wants to establish three such centres out of the 32 state and private primary schools.

A survey conducted with parents in 2016 revealed that at least 60% would send their children to a French bilingual school if the option was available.

The proposal identifies several advantages of French-English learning, including economic, educational, cultural, diplomatic and constitutional.

It adds that improved communication with France could lead to business growth.

Culturally, it notes the tuition would benefit life in Jersey as the French language plays an important part in the island's culture and heritage.

It acknowledges Jersey's place, street and family names, along with their origins and history as examples.

Deputy Bailhache concludes his proposal by stating: "Creating bilingual primary schools may be a bold step, but it is also a practical and sensible move towards stimulating Jersey’s economy in the medium and long term."

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