Libraries for Primaries: Minister Promotes Literacy in Region 9

Libraries for Primaries | Minister of Education Champions Literacy and Equity During Region 9 Visit

The Honourable Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, recently spent four days in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region (Region 9), where she engaged directly with educators, students, and parents to assess and celebrate the strides being made in education, particularly in some of the country’s most remote communities.

As part of her visit, Minister Manickchand toured the villages of Aishalton, Para Bara, Shea, Awarewaunau, Maruraunau, Achawib, and Bashaizon - each of which proudly boasts a functioning primary school with its own dedicated library. This achievement is part of a major push by the Ministry of Education to ensure that every primary school in Guyana, including those in hinterland and riverine areas, has access to a fully stocked library.

These libraries are not just spaces with books, they are vibrant reading corners filled with titles that capture the imagination of young readers. Popular books such as 'Dog Man', 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid', and 'Junie B. Jones' line the shelves, inviting children to dive into stories that are known to spark curiosity, inspire joy, and foster a lifelong love for reading.

The library initiative is deeply personal to Minister Manickchand, a passionate reader herself, who strongly believes that the ability to read and the joy of reading should be within reach of every child, regardless of geography. Her commitment stems from the belief that literacy is the foundation of learning and empowerment, and that a well-stocked library can open the door to a world of knowledge and possibility.

This literacy push forms part of the Ministry’s broader commitment to closing the educational gap between urban and rural areas. By providing equitable access to resources, the Ministry is creating more inclusive learning environments and giving every child, whether in Georgetown or the deep South Rupununi, fair opportunity to thrive.