Gov’t Eyes New Spanish Teachers Under Second-Language Proposal

By Algernon Watts

The government is considering recruiting up to 20 additional Spanish teachers as part of a proposal to make Spanish Antigua and Barbuda’s second language, according to details presented to Cabinet this week.

Education Minister Daryll Matthew outlined the proposal during a ministerial policy briefing, with Cabinet reviewing a three-year implementation plan that would expand Spanish instruction across the country’s schools.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the initiative would require between 18 and 20 additional teachers to support the phased rollout, which would be introduced based on school readiness and the progression of student cohorts.

The proposal also calls for the completion of a revised national Spanish curriculum aligned with internationally recognised language proficiency standards and seeks technical assistance from Spain, the Dominican Republic and other international partners for teacher training and curriculum development.

While the proposal envisions these new partnerships, Antigua and Barbuda has previously received support for Spanish language education through Cuba, which has long expressed a willingness to assist with language instruction, and through the Embassy of Venezuela, which for several years offered Spanish classes to members of the public.

Merchant said the government intends to retain French within the education system, stressing that the expansion of Spanish would not replace the existing French programme.

The government’s push to make Spanish the country’s second language has, however, attracted criticism since it was first announced in May.

The government’s proposal has drawn criticism from opposition figures and other commentators since it was first announced earlier this year. 

Critics have questioned whether making Spanish the country’s second language should take priority over other education needs, including school infrastructure and teacher shortages, while also raising concerns about the cost of implementation and whether the policy received sufficient public consultation.