Guyana’s education sector strengthened with prudent investments, policies

By Lorenda Cuffie

Given Guyana’s transformative landscape, the government recognises the need to modernise the education sector by allocating a large sum of money and crafting prudent policies to guarantee full access to quality education.

From August 2023 to present, the Ministry of Education has executed a plethora of projects which continue to produce significant results.

Among these undertakings are the distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, textbooks, cash grants and training for teachers, and the construction and rehabilitation of educational facilities.

The ministry also wants to ensure students have a strong sense of volunteerism and must be proficient in one musical instrument, a foreign language and one TVET subject.

Enhancing educational facilities

With the rapid expansion of educational facilities to comfortably accommodate students and teachers alike, new blocks totalling over $971 million were completed at Bishops’ High, Queen’s College, East Ruimveldt Secondary, St Rose’s High, and St Winefride’s Secondary.

Additionally, the $93 million De Willem Secondary School in Region Three was commissioned last September, accommodating 350 students.

The $220 million Ken Subraj-Zara Technical Centre opened at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) is allowing hundreds of students to access improved technical education.

Below is a listing of the hinterland schools currently being constructed.

Regions

Name of School

One

Hosororo Secondary Waramuri Secondary Northwest Secondary Kwebanna Secondary Matthew’s Ridge Secondary

Three

Tuschen Secondary Nismes Secondary Vreed-En-Hoop Secondary

Four

Tuschen Secondary Diamond Secondary

Six

Lower Corentyne Secondary Orealla Secondary

Seven

Jawalla Secondary Phillipai Secondary

Eight

Kopinang Secondary Monkey Mountain Secondary Micobie Secondary

Nine

Karasabai Secondary Maruranau Secondary Tabatinga Secondary Nappi Secondary Massara Secondary

Ten

Wairuni Secondary Christianburg Secondary

Georgetown

Christ Church Secondary St George’s School of Sciences St Mary’s Secondary North Ruimveldt Secondary

Meanwhile, the Arthurville Primary School on Wakenaam Island and Victoria Lily Primary School in Tuschen were commissioned.

Over $3.1 billion is being invested to benefit primary school pupils in Augsburg, Kuribrong, Lake Mainstay, Pennack, and Red Creek, among other communities.

Another $54 million was invested to reconstruct Western Hogg Island Primary School in Region Three, to house over 50 pupils from Liberty, Hogg Island, and surrounding villages in the new school term.

Additionally, the lower flat of the school, which is currently being extended to accommodate nursery-aged pupils, is almost completed.

Four large primary schools will be built in Region Nine at Tabatinga and Cra Crana.

The Haslington Nursery School is also completion costing $28.1 million and can now accommodate 60 pupils.

The communities of La Parfaite Harmonie and Canal Number One will each benefit from a new nursery school at an estimated cost of $55 million and $50 million, respectively.

In Region Nine alone, construction will begin on 13 nursery schools at Parabara, Baishanzu, Semoni and Quatata.

These schools have and will continue to alleviate overcrowding and the need for students to travel long distances to receive their education.

In October 2023, two dormitories valued $75 million were commissioned at Leonora Secondary in Region Three, accommodating over 20 students from far-flung communities.

Works are also ongoing on several dormitories and teachers’ living quarters nationwide.

Further, construction is advancing on a modern US$4.9 million building for the University of Guyana’s College of Medical Sciences to house 200 students.

 Source : https://dpi.gov.gy/guyanas-education-sector-strengthened-with-prudent-investments-policies/