Diversity without divisiveness.

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Diversity without divisiveness.

• Languages of
• Vanuatu Education

Jacques Gedeon Principal/Directeur, Vanuatu Insti
tute of Teacher Education
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Vanuatu 1000 km N to S
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Vanuatus location.
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This papers focus points

• The multilingual context of education in my
  country.
  
• How it relates to our national identity
• The implications of a multilingual context for
  teacher education
  

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Vanuatu National Constitution

• WE the people of Vanuatu
• PROUD of our struggle for freedom
• DETERMINED to safeguard the achievements of this
  struggle.
  
• CHERISHING our ethnic, linguistic and cultural
  diversity,
  
• MINDFUL at the same time of our common destiny,
• HEREBY proclaim the establishment of the united
  and free Republic of Vanuatu founded on
  traditional Melanesian values, faith in God and
  Christian principles.
• AND for this purpose give ourselves this
  Constitution.
  
• CHAPTER 1
• NATIONAL AND OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
• 3. (1) The national language of the Republic of
  Vanuatu is Bislama. The official languages are
  Bislama, English and French. The principal
  languages of
• education are English and French.
• (2) The Republic of Vanuatu shall protect
  the different local languages which
  
• are part of the national heritage, and may
  one of them as a national language.
  

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English schools vs French schools

• During Condominium era, the two administrations
  had separate systems of education.
  
• English speaking schools based their education on
  British curriculum
  
• French speaking schools based their education on
  French models

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Vanuatu Education Master Plan

• Vernacular education in pre-school 1, 2 and 3 (5,
  6 and 7 years old)
  
• English or French from year 4 upwards.
• If enrolled in English medium schools,
  introduction of French from Class 5 up and vice
  versa. If enrolled in French medium schools,
  introduction of English from class 5 up.
• Secondary school French or English is
  compulsory.
  

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English medium schools vs French medium schools

• 60 of the Vanuatu population is English speaking
  and 40 is French speaking.
  
• English medium schools outnumber French medium
  schools.
  
• English medium schools are made up of mission
  schools as well
  
• French medium schools are government owned and
  Catholic owned.

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Success rates in Vanuatu schools.

• Primary schools
• 1- English medium 50
• 2- French medium 30
• Secondary schools
• 1- English medium 40
• 2- French medium 60

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Bilingualism to be or not to be?

• Social imperative
• Pedagogical imperative
• Economic force

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Questions to address

• 1. If a multilingual environment enhances
  intellectual and social capital why not adopt one
  main language and make the other one compulsory
  from Elementary to Gr 13?
• 2. Bislama is the lingua franca. Can it play
  the role currently played by English or French?
  (Special bridging arrangements could be made for
  students wishing academic pathways)

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Crossing the water to a solution

• After 25 years of independence, is it really
  necessary to keep our dual system of education?
  The dual system not only duplicates, but also
  creates conflicts and is expensive to run.

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In conclusion

• In a small nation where vernacular, customs and
  traditions are predominant and essential for a
  ni-Vanuatu person to survive, Vanuatus leaders
  must determine with and for the people what
  educational direction will preserve diversity
  without divisiveness.

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Wan bigfala tankio igo long

• Dr Robert Andrew blong invaetem me long conferens
  ia.
  
• Second tankio igo long Dr Thao Le from saport
  blong hem.
  
• Namba tri tankio igo long University blong
  Tasmania, Faculty of Education blong save
  allaowem mi blong kam long conference ia.