72 new hinterland schools built, expanding access to quality education

The government has built 72 new schools and 40 major extensions across hinterland communities over the past five years as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure children in remote areas have the same access to quality education as those living on the coast.

These were executed in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag highlighted this achievement during the National Toshao Council (NTC) Conference on Wednesday.

“One of the ministry’s and the government’s foremost priorities over the last five years has been ensuring that where a child lives does not determine the quality of education he or she receives, and in fact, access to education,” she stressed.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag speaking during the National Toshao Council (NTC) Conference on Wednesday

She noted that the achievement of this goal provided students with safe, modern and accessible learning environments.

An interior view of a library at Massara Secondary School

Among the flagship projects completed are the Osororo Secondary School, the reconstructed Northwest Secondary School, Waramuri Secondary School, Isano Secondary School, Corral Secondary School, Maikobi Secondary School, Anai School Dormitory, Nappi Secondary School, Massara Junior Secondary School, and new junior secondary schools at Corral, Dairon and Shulinab.

The programme also includes dozens of nursery schools, primary school extensions, dormitories and teachers’ quarters throughout various Amerindian communities.

Additional facilities, including dormitories, teachers’ quarters, science laboratories and recreational spaces, were also built to improve learning conditions for thousands of students.

Minister Parag said the government’s education strategy extends beyond infrastructure by providing financial assistance through the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant to families to ensure no child is prevented from attending school because of economic hardship.

Distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant

She highlighted that the programme has grown from benefiting just over 4,700 students in hinterland and riverine communities in 2021 to more than 50,100 students in 2026.

“You know that your children or grandchildren would have been able to uplift that $85,000 for each of those children,” the minister said.

She added that the national school grants programme has also expanded across hinterland communities, providing schools with additional funding to purchase classroom materials, teaching aids and other essential learning resources.

Looking to the future, the education minister said the government intends to further increase both the Because We Care Cash Grant and the Transportation Support Grant in 2027.

“The government’s commitment does not end here,” she said, adding that additional investments will continue to strengthen educational access and opportunities for children and families throughout Guyana.

 Source :  https://dpi.gov.gy/72-new-hinterland-schools-built-expanding-access-to-quality-education/