PRIME MINISTER Bruce Golding has added his voice to the ongoing debate about a decision by a church group, to translate the Bible from English to Patois.

Golding said the plan was a signal that the education system had failed to successfully impart to society the accepted language.

The plan by the Bible Society of the West Indies to publish a Patois version of the Bible, expected to cost $60 million over 12 years, has sparked a raging debate over the relevance and appropriateness of the project.

The prime minister, who was addressing graduates during the annual graduation and prize-giving at the Kingsway High School on Osbourne Road, St Andrew, yesterday added his voice to the discussions.

"We've always thought that we needed a second language, but I thought that when we were talking about a second language that we were talking about an international language, whether French, Spanish or German. Something that can allow us easier access to other parts of the world," he said.

"But no, we're talking about Patois, as if there's any other country that will understand what we're saying," added Golding, whose remarks gained resounding applause from the teachers and parents in the audience.

"To me what this signifies is an admission to failure. We have failed to impart our accepted language, English, and so we have given up."

He continued: "I am still waiting for somebody who is participating in this debate to explain to me how Patois is going to help our students to learn and understand history.

"How is Patois going to help them understand and learn the sciences, how is it going to help us to do better in mathematics?"

Golding encouraged the graduates to stay focused, noting that the future of the country depended on their success.

"Always have a plan. Do not wake up one morning and don't have a plan for your life," he said.