Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 (P.70/2025): twentieth amendment (P.70/2025 Amd.(20)) – comments. Teaching Jèrriais
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STATES OF JERSEY
PROPOSED BUDGET (GOVERNMENT PLAN) 2026-2029 (P.70/2025): TWENTIETH AMENDMENT (P.70/2025 AMD.(20)) – COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 4th December 2025 by the Council of Ministers
STATES GREFFE
2025 P.70 Amd.(20) Com.
COMMENTS
The Council of Ministers have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to the importance of Jèrriais within their overarching commitment to Arts, Culture and Heritage. They agree with the CEHA Panel (the Panel) on the importance of Jèrriais funding within the proposed budget 2026-2029.
However, they cannot support this amendment to ringfence the Jèrriais budget within the Education and Lifelong Learning head of expenditure as it is unnecessary. It would limit and / or prevent any positive changes being made as the result of any refresh, renewal or extension of the Jèrriais strategy.
The Panel asked the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to give an outline of what the proposed budget for Jèrriais will deliver in 2026. In his letter of response the Minister advised:
"In terms of delivery, the aim is to continue to provide Jèrriais lessons in schools with a greater focus on language proficiency; a plan is also being prioritised for maintaining cultural awareness, teaching adults and making sure that all aspects of Jèrriais are delivered efficiently and to high standards. Highlights are the launch of a new documentary film and plans to dive deeper into language pedagogy through developing bespoke phonics resources."
The Council do not share the concern of the Panel "that the promotion of Jèrriais is not being given the priority it deserves" and are not aware of any evidence to support the Panel's concern. Conversely, the Council believe much evidence exists to show the continued positive direction of the Jèrriais Strategy under their direction.
Jèrriais has been given a high priority within the CYPES central education team. A team of six teachers have been employed, and five full time teachers are dedicated to the service (French has one full time and one part time by comparison) with oversight by a dedicated Advisor and Senior Advisor.
The 2022-25 strategy, developed by the Jèrriais team had ambitious aims to ensure the visibility and revitalisation of "Jèrriais". Over that time, budget has been spent on reports prepared by academics on the revitalisation aspects of the previous strategy. These demonstrate that Jèrriais is increasingly visible across educational, cultural and public settings.
There is still work to do to embed the learning of the language. This future work will require a language competency framework; a clear language curriculum offer and the requisite monitoring in place to ensure and sustain growth and development in accordance with Education standards. While this approach places language acquisition, teaching and learning at the heart of the strategy, the Jèrriais strategy continues to encompass the heritage, history and culture of the island of Jersey. Refining what that looks like for schools and educational setting will also be included.
The purpose and defining features of Jèrriais lessons are experienced and understood differently in different settings. To some, Jèrriais lessons offer pure language learning. To others, particularly in primary school settings, lessons include stories told in English about Jersey myths and legends. To others, lessons offer the opportunity to visit historical sites and learn about local history. "Jèrriais" crosses ministerial boundaries.
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Developing Jèrriais corpus and wider public cultural activities been part of the wider 2022-25 Jèrriais strategy. Jersey Heritage workstreams cover these aspects of development, with one officer dedicated to Corpus and one to Culture. Increased clarity in the relationship between Jersey Heritage and CYPES will enable a broader Jèrriais strategy to be developed with clear areas of responsibility and outcomes and targeted spending. This approach is reflected in the 2026 and longer-term action planning for the Jèrriais teaching Service.
Throughout the year there have been detailed conversations both at department and ministerial level regarding the balance between cultural and educational priorities for the next plan and how resources can best be allocated. The 2026 CYPES Jèrriais plan will include details of all specific projects and how these are intended to impact children and young people. The budget request for 2026 will be linked directly to these plans, allowing for best practice in governance, and compliance to the Public Finance Manual and established HR practice.
The Jèrriais team offer is a co-curricular approach, which allows for flexibility and adaptability according to pupil and school needs. Ringfencing the budget for the Education and Lifelong Learning head of expenditure could constrain collaborative working and flexible solutions, resulting in duplication from different government areas and restrictions on a cohesive delivery model. Arm's length, independent organisations and charities also support the delivery of "wider Jèrriais" and co-working with these can increase the impact and reach of the team.
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