The Government of Guyana is making firm strides toward embedding Spanish as a core subject across the national education system, a move officials say is vital to preparing students for the country’s evolving regional and economic context.
With implementation already underway in nearly all secondary schools, the Ministry of Education is now expanding the programme to include primary-level learners.
Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussein revealed that Spanish instruction is gaining traction at the secondary level. Students begin exposure as early as Form One, with some institutions offering Portuguese as an alternative in the lower forms.
He added that in Forms Four and Five, Spanish is typically taught within specific streams, providing more tailored instruction.
“The aim is not just academic exposure but real conversational fluency,” Hussein emphasised, noting that Spanish is being positioned not merely as a subject, but as a practical skill aligned with Guyana’s geographical location and growing economic ties within Latin America.
The strategic push began in 2023, with the Ministry outlining the plan as part of a broader effort to modernise the curriculum and equip future generations with regional competencies.
However, a major hurdle remains the availability of qualified foreign language teachers, particularly at the primary level, where educators are not traditionally trained in languages.
To address this, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has introduced Spanish specialisations at several levels.
In addition, teachers are encouraged to seek professional development through online platforms such as Coursera, which offer accessible training in both language proficiency and instructional methodology.
Hussein explained that while the groundwork has been laid, continued investment in teacher training will be critical to the programme’s long-term success.
“It’s an ongoing effort. We’re building capacity at every level, from curriculum development to classroom instruction.”
The Ministry is also closely tracking student participation in Spanish at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) level. Though the final figures for 2025 are yet to be confirmed, recent years have shown a steady increase in the number of students opting to write Spanish at the CSEC level, an encouraging sign that the initiative is resonating with both learners and educators.
