A Jersey minister has rejected a proposal to establish three English-French bilingual primary schools, citing concerns over complexity and cost.
The idea, proposed by Deputy Philip Bailhache in July, aimed to reconnect the island with its bilingual heritage and benefit children. However, Education Minister Deputy Rob Ward estimated that implementing bilingual teaching from 2025 could exceed £2 million over seven years.
Deputy Bailhache highlighted the potential cultural, economic, and diplomatic benefits, lamenting the decline in French fluency among islanders. Despite this, Mr. Ward criticised the proposal for lacking funding and failing to address curriculum structure, workforce capacity, and inclusivity. The States will debate the proposal on 10 September.
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