Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
Spanish could be a compulsory subject in schools – President Ali hints
Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday hinted that discussions will soon be held with stakeholders on making Spanish a compulsory subject in the country’s school system. The President was at the time speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the new $1.3B Good Hope Secondary School.
President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday at the commissioning of the Good Hope Secondary School.
“There is something that I regretted in my life, I dropped foreign languages very early, because I didn’t see it as important then,” President Ali said while noting that he subsequently saw the importance of knowing a second language.
“It is time we consider seriously making Spanish at least compulsory in our school system because of where we are located, we are part of the Caribbean by culture and design, and we are also in South America and we now have to move to seriously consider making Spanish a compulsory language in our school system,” the President stated.
The Head of State said too that not knowing a second language places citizens at a disadvantage as it makes them less competitive not only locally but internationally.
“I intend to have full discussion on this matter, because the direction I believe that we should take, is to ensure that Spanish is compulsory in our school system because it is needed in the geographical space that we occupy.”
It is important to note that Spanish, French and Portuguese are being taught at the secondary level. However, they are not compulsory subjects. Moreover, Guyana is now home to many Venezuelans who have sought refuge due to trying economic times in the neighbouring Spanish speaking country.
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