'No plans' to recruit further Jèrriais teachers

Deputy Rob Ward said the budget for Jèrriais teaching is currently £647,500 but is not ring-fenced

Jersey's education minister has said there are no plans to recruit more Jèrriais teachers.

Deputy Rob Ward said the budget for Jèrriais teaching, which is currently £647,500, is not ring-fenced.

There are an estimated 200 speakers of the traditional Norman-French language on Jersey.

Responding to a written question from Deputy Helen Miles, Ward said the government's focus was on offering a curriculum which helps students develop their language skills.

He said that whilst teaching in school is "the largest element" of language education on Jersey, the education department also runs activities to promote and teach Jèrriais.

It is celebrated at an annual Eisteddfod, the Jèrriais Office runs morning cafe conversation groups in St Martin, St Helier and St Ouen, and it is also spoken at events including La Fête du Jèrriais and La Faîs'sie d'Cidre.