Spanish to Become Antigua and Barbuda’s Official Second Language Under New Government Policy
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a major national policy initiative to establish Spanish as the country’s official second language, marking a significant shift in the nation’s educational and regional development strategy.
Under the new policy direction, Cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to begin restructuring the national curriculum so that Spanish becomes a core subject at the pre-school, primary and secondary school levels.
The move is aimed at preparing future generations to better engage with the wider Latin American and Caribbean region while expanding opportunities in education, business, tourism, diplomacy and employment.
Cabinet said the decision reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s growing regional and international engagement and recognizes the increasing importance of multilingualism in an interconnected global environment.
The Government also pointed to the longstanding relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the Dominican Republic as a major factor behind the initiative. Cabinet acknowledged the contribution of the Dominican community to national development and the strong cultural and people-to-people ties shared between both countries.
Officials believe improving Spanish language competency among citizens and residents will strengthen communication, enhance workforce competitiveness, boost tourism and trade, and deepen regional integration with Spanish-speaking nations across Latin America and the Caribbean.
As part of the broader initiative, Cabinet also approved the DRIP programme — the Dominican Republic Integration Programme — which is expected to strengthen economic, cultural and institutional cooperation between Antigua and Barbuda and the Dominican Republic.
The programme will focus on improving trade and investment opportunities, enhancing cooperation in tourism and education, and providing more structured support for Dominican nationals living in Antigua and Barbuda.
Cabinet additionally approved the establishment of a Spanish Desk within the Office of the Prime Minister. The unit will serve as a direct point of contact for the Spanish-speaking community and is expected to improve communication, access to government services and community integration.
The Government said the policy forms part of a wider commitment to inclusion, education reform, regional cooperation and national development as Antigua and Barbuda positions itself to thrive in an increasingly globalized world.
SOOO wa happen to Kweole and french that is so close to us. ok
Lmao poor us it can be learned but why declare it out second language
What has become of the Mandarin Chinese that they were promoting a few years ago?
This actually makes sense. We surrounded by Spanish-speaking countries and tourism is one of our biggest industries
Most of our tourists come from America, Canada and England, which is why the Spanish-speaking community needs to learn English. Most of them can’t speak English.
A wha fu…ry me a read ya. They don’t even want the kids speaking dialect at school which is our first language, Now you going to say Spanish is our second language.
No!
Dialect is our first language and English is our second language,
Go back to the drawing table with this crap.
Dialect isnt an actual language it’s the broken version of English your island speaks. English is your first and only language. I can’t believe someone actually wrote that. Yal fight anything positive.
Progress just hates to see you coming….I just know it.
What fuckery is this? So these Dominican Spanish people infest our country like roaches and now we declare THEIR language to be OUR second language?
The average Antiguan doesn’t speak Spanish unless they are first generation born here to a Dominican Spanish parent(s) or Antiguans who studied in Cuba or Mexico.
Why is our government kissing these immigrants’ filthy asses by doing this?
Antigua truly is NOT for Antiguans.
Good move. Children should leave school bilingual in today’s world
I hope they’re implementing the idea that the Spanish community needs to know English, too, because most of them migrate here and don’t know a drop of English. I have a Grade 2 in Spanish. I learned the language to pass the CXC exam, and I also learned it for my associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. After 25 years, I don’t even remember 90% of it. I still have all textbooks, notes, tests, and exam papers. I love my English language and dialect better. I don’t care for foreign languages, and I travel at least twice a year. I also learned a little German, but don’t care for it.
Hahahahah we outnumbered
This could open plenty opportunities for young people in business, travel and international jobs
Introducing Spanish from pre-school level is ambitious, but it could really change how future generations connect with the wider Caribbean and Latin America.
This could help improve relations with the Dominican community, which already plays a visible role in local society and the economy.
We are dumb people …what about our African language.
I hope this isn’t just another announcement with no proper implementation.