The MinEdu apparently surprised many this week when he announced changes in the educational system, but I suspect he is simply sanctioning something that is already in practice, as far as I know most schools are already teaching math in Papiamento and Dutch in Papiamento, contributing to the demise of Dutch as a language of instruction.
And while I am no expert on Dutch, my Dutchy friends explain to me that the level of Dutch communication has deteriorated in past years, it is colloquial at best, and certainly not good enough to handle the pressure of university studies, as the number of disappointed returning students indicates.
I am just stating the obvious. In recent year with Latin-oriented immigration, Spanish has take over, and a great number of kids speak Spanish at home as their maternal language; the minority is immersed in Dutch, the off-springs of Dutch-born parents.
So Papiamento is the common denominator and my friends in education confirm that kids understand more when addressed in Papiamento, and are able to retain more, so while many school pretend to uphold Dutch as the language of instruction, they make their life easier by communicating with students in Papiamento.
I understand that the Papiamento curriculum is ready, having been used successfully in one of two schools for five year – the second school faced some challenges .
But where does it get us?
This is a rhetorical question; I’m not going to answer for fear of being beaten with a flag pole by readers with strong nationalistic feelings.
What kind of higher education opportunities does Papiamento open for our kids?
Many think the answer is English. Perhaps we should try English.
Follow St Maarten’s lead with an international baccalaureate curriculum. It opens the world up, and affords islanders with strong English language skills infinite educational possibilities.
Naturally the local system would have to be adjusted so that these accredited diplomas from English speaking institution of higher learning are recognized in Aruba that currently only recognized Dutch certificates.
Again, don’t beat me with a flag pole but I am just asking: Is Papiamento ready for the starring role assigned to it by the MinEdu. Wouldn’t it be useful to further develop the language, first? How about an academy, just like the Academie Francaise, the French Academy, a special council in charge of growing and enriching the French language since 1635, we could have one right here.
The MinEdu could appointing a council for Aruba, entrusted with further structuring and broadening Papiamento, so it may rely on scholars for updates, and upgrades, and not on the street.
We don’t need a language academy? I found 39 synonyms for the word CUT in the Thesaurus. Thirty nine different ways to express a simple three letter word, and each expresses a totally unique idea: Lacerate, wound, slash, pierce, rip, shave, slice, dice, stab, snip, nick, mark, cleft, chop, I can go on. That richness provides nuance, and with it complex thinking. The richness of a language delivers intelligent speakers.
How many words can you find in Papiamento to express that one idea? We should give the language a hand before it is made to star in the educational system. Bo sa.
