In Puerto Rico, a US territory with over 700 Head Start centers, a proposal by the Trump administration to teach exclusively in English has sparked controversy. The majority of the island’s 3.2 million residents say they do not speak English fluently, and educators warn that the change would undermine children’s connection to their language and culture.
Eddie Torres Vázquez, president of the Asociación de Amigos de Head Start de Puerto Rico, expressed concern that the change would lead to many teachers resigning or retiring, as less than 10% of Head Start teachers on the island are proficient in English. The proposal is part of a broader reform of Head Start standards proposed by Trump in August, which includes a limited exception for instruction in tribal languages.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) emphasized that providers can still communicate with families in their native languages and can request exemptions. However, critics argue that imposing English as the only language of instruction would be insulting and a costly logistical nightmare. Around 25,000 children in Puerto Rico attend Head Start centers, which offer free pre-school education, health services, and support programs for low-income families.
Most centers on the island adopt a bilingual approach, and educators argue that using the languages spoken at home can help children learn English and explore concepts in subjects like math and science. Desirée Vega González, a Head Start teacher, expressed concern about the impact of the change on her students, all of whom are Spanish-speaking.
Francisco J. Nazario Marrero, program manager in the town of Dorado, warned that the change could lead to delays in speech therapy for children who need it. The proposal has sparked debate among parents, with some supporting the idea of teaching English and others opposing it. Monín Rodríguez, a grandmother who picks up her 2-year-old grandson from a Head Start center, said she likes the idea of her grandson learning English, but others argue that it would be a loss of cultural identity.