Garifuna Language Commission meets with Minister

Release: Garifuna Language Commission meets with the Minister of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs, and Transportation.

Members of the Garifuna Language Commission and members of the Boards of The Battle of the Drums and The National Garifuna Council had the pleasure of meeting with the Minister of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs, and Transportation and his team on Monday, August 6, 2025. The meeting was specifically to update the Minister on the progress made in the Garifuna Language in Schools program and to request his Ministry’s support.

The Garifuna Language in Schools program was approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology on March 15, 2024, and was launched on April 11, 2024, the eve of the commemoration of Garifuna Survival Day. The program enables the teaching of the Garifuna language, daily, in eight primary schools across 6 Garifuna communities in Southern Belize. The program is being led by the Garifuna Language Commission is informed and guided by a comprehensive, customized Garifuna Language Curriculum. Likewise, service delivery of the program is enhanced through the execution of a Professional Development Plan. The school year from September 2024 to June 2025 saw the rollout of the program.

The Minister was very receptive to our program and plans and pledged his Ministry’s support. The meeting ended with the understanding that we will formalize a relationship with the Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs, and Transportation, and possibly with other Ministries of Government, via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will guide our efforts to enable desirable outcomes for the benefit of all parties. We will continue to pursue meaningful relationships with the Ministry and others so that we can “attain our just objectives.” This school year (2025 – 2026), two additional primary schools will be added to the program, namely, Christ the King Anglican School and Epworth Methodist Primary School, both of Dangriga Town. The Garifuna Language Commission is being led by Co-Chairs, Dr. Alberita Enriquez and Dr. Gwen Nuñez Gonzalez.

For further inquiries or interviews, please contact: Mr. Alex Nolberto, President – National Garifuna Council at 6106181 or Mr. Darius Avila, President – Battle of the Drums at 615-0140.