Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President, Belinda Wilson voiced concern on Tuesday about the language barrier of creole speaking students in public schools. She said that she was unaware of a buddy system in place to assist such students until it was mentioned by Director of Education, Dominique McCartney-Russell.
“Some of the creole speaking siblings and or creole speaking friends would try to assist some of the students from time to time, unofficially and voluntarily. It is obvious that the creole speaking students especially at the grade one level did not attend pre-school and even the basic skill of being toilet trained is a challenge. Their lack of ability to speak English contributes to low reading, writing and comprehension scores. Teachers have also noticed behavioral problems from the creole speaking students as well as the Bahamians students,” Wilson said.
Education director, McCartney-Russell explained that the ministry has used the buddy system for years to support students for whom English is a second language. She said, “this informal practice pairs the ESL student with a classmate or schoolmate who will help them acclimate to the school environment not just academically but socially until the student gains confidence to navigate the campus life.”
McCartney-Russell says officials plan to dialogue with the relevant stakeholders about vulnerable learners and strengthening their support systems.
The BUT President has called for the education ministry to provide a written buddy system policy and identify the school in which the informal program is operating.
