Debate on teaching Creole in Dominican schools: Security or controversy?
The proposal by deputy Julio César Beltré, representative of the Azua province, to integrate the teaching of Creole into the Dominican educational system, has generated an intense public discussion. While conservative sectors, including the Duartian Institute, reject the measure, considering it unnecessary for academic training, voices in the field of communication point out that this initiative could be a key tool for national security.
Jonatan Familia, a communicator from the Politikal program, has defended this position by arguing that basic proficiency in this dialect is a necessity given the geographical and social reality shared by both nations on the island. Familia maintains that ignoring the neighbor’s language is a strategic disadvantage in daily coexistence.
In my opinion, of course it contributes. This dialect contributes because, whether you like it or not, they are our neighbors. That was not decided by you nor was it decided by me, they are there and there is a daily coexistence between them and us.
Jonatan Familia, communicator.
The language barrier as a vulnerability factor
The central argument of Familia does not focus on cultural aspects, but on citizen security. The communicator highlights that there is a marked asymmetry, where the Haitian population tends to master Spanish, while the bulk of Dominicans are completely unaware of Creole. According to his estimates, approximately 95% of citizens do not have basic notions of this language.
This linguistic gap, according to the communicator, leaves Dominicans in a vulnerable situation in public spaces such as hospitals, educational centers, and mass transit, as they are unable to understand conversations that could involve threats or plans for illicit activities.
Around you there are three Haitian nationals talking and you have no idea what they are talking about. Haitians could be around you planning any kind of thing, even against you, and you like a meek dove because you do not know what they are saying.
Educational implementation proposal
Faced with opposition from voices such as journalist Hansel García, who prioritizes learning English and delegates security exclusively to the State, Familia proposes a pragmatic approach. He suggests that the Ministry of Education use students from the Modern Languages program to teach basic knowledge of Creole in schools.
- Reduced academic workload: One or two hours per week.
- Focus: Greetings and essential communication norms.
- Objective: To provide young people with prevention and self-protection tools in the face of a lack of effective immigration controls.
For the Alofoke Deportes communicator, this measure should not be seen as a cultural imposition, but rather as a necessary social defense strategy in the current context, which, in his view, Dominican society will eventually value in the long term.
