By Algernon WattsThe 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. 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.