Dominican Republic lawmakers debate mandatory Creole in schools

A legislative proposal to make Creole a mandatory subject in Dominican Republic schools has drawn significant criticism from political and media figures. The initiative, introduced by Deputy Julio César Beltré of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) representing Azua, seeks to address the daily coexistence between Dominican and Haitian citizens.

Wilson Gómez, president of the Instituto Duartiano, rejected the measure, arguing it could lead to increased Haitian enrollment in schools and necessitate the mass hiring of Haitian teachers. Gómez suggested the legislator should focus on the needs of Azua rather than such proposals.

Communicator María Cristina Rodríguez also labeled the proposal ‘misguided,’ arguing that the national education system should prioritize languages like English and French, which she views as more critical for academic and professional opportunities. She emphasized that while multilingualism is beneficial, making Creole compulsory is not a priority for the country’s current needs.