By Saskia Warrick
Coursera, the popular online learning platform, is currently developing courses aimed at training teachers to instruct Spanish as a compulsory subject in Guyanese classrooms.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, announced this initiative as part of President Ali’s vision to make Guyana a bilingual country.
Recognizing the need for immediate action, the Ministry of Education has already begun preparations to introduce Spanish as a mandatory subject in schools.
The National Center for Educational Resource has developed basic lesson content for teachers to utilize in the interim, addressing staffing challenges.
Minister Manickchand emphasized that students will have access to requisite resources, including textbooks, starting from the new school term in September.
This step is crucial in ensuring that students receive quality instruction in Spanish.
Considering Guyana’s diverse migrant population, Minister Manickchand highlighted measures to support Spanish-speaking pupils.
These include provisions for students to write their exams in either their native language or English, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
In addressing staffing shortages, the government is engaging in discussions with bilateral partners to loan human resources during the transition period.
This strategy aims to bridge the gap until Guyanese teachers can fulfill the demand for Spanish instruction across the country.
As Guyana moves towards becoming a bilingual nation, these initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to providing quality education and fostering linguistic diversity in the classroom.