Who says politics doesn’t have its good sides? But sometimes it turns ridiculous… As laypeople, we will leave the continuation of this argument to educational experts and psycholinguists.
Just one question: What prevented this pressing demand from being raised before now? As for the quick exchange between the Mayor and the head of the opposition, their eternal duel requires a fitting conclusion: a competition of “counta bla-bla”!
A little seriousness, though!
Christian Estrosi, Deputy, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, requests the director of the Nice Academy to create a bilingual Nissart-French class:
“I contacted the Director of the Alpes-Maritimes Academy – Mr. Philippe Jourdan – and the Minister of National Education – Mr. Vincent Peillon – to request the creation of a Nissart-French bilingual class to be opened in the 2013/2014 academic year in Nice.
Because I am deeply attached to our heritage and culture, I want the Niçard language passed on to future generations.
In fact, as early as 1999, I intervened to create a Nissart regional language and culture department at the University of Nice, and in 2000, I submitted an oral question to the government to request the recognition of Nissart as a regional language of France.
To know your roots, you must know your language; it is clear that the number of high school students taking Niçard exams for the baccalaureate is steadily increasing.
Today, only a very small number of students are familiar with Nissart in a few primary schools.
That’s why I requested the creation of a bilingual Nissart-French class with equal hours, so all subjects are taught in French and in Nissart.
It is a responsibility of the State, to which Mr. Lauriano Azinherinha – Deputy for Education, Mr. Jean-Marc Giaume – Municipal Councilor for Niçard Language and Culture, and I are ready to give our full support, notably by making municipal school facilities available.
I cannot accept that small communities, such as Cuers in the Var, have four French-Provençal bilingual classes, and that Nice – the 5th largest city in France – offers none.
In other French regions, public bilingual primary schools exist while respecting our republican values.
As an integral part of world heritage, it is our duty to save regional languages, which are the foundation of our cultures.”
- Since 2009, I wanted the Heritage Center to offer free Niçard courses to municipal agents and the general public; this initiative is truly popular.
Opening a French-Nissart class in school: reaction from Patrick Allemand, Municipal Councilor, President of the Group Changer d’ère
I have just learned that Christian Estrosi contacted the Minister of National Education, Vincent Peillon, and the Director of Academic Services of the Alpes-Maritimes, to request the creation, next school year, of a French-Nissart bilingual class in school, specifying that for the Deputy Mayor of Nice and President of the Metropolis, this creation was imperative.
I can only commend this initiative that I support.
However, I find it surprising that Christian Estrosi waited for the Left to come to power to remember the importance of Niçard, and that he did not make the same request to the Ministers of National Education who succeeded one another since 2002, despite being so close to them.
