Minister Manickchand Breaks Ground for Cotton Field Secondary!

PRESS RELEASE | Minister of Education Priya Manickchand Breaks Ground for the Construction of Cotton Field Secondary School

February 12, 2025 – In a historic move to enhance the educational landscape in Guyana, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand officially turned the sod for the commencement of the highly anticipated Cottonfield Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast.

This marks a significant step in the Government's ongoing efforts to expand and modernize the country's educational infrastructure.

The project will be carried out by Builders Hardware, General Supplies, and Construction, at a total cost of G$1,798,137,760.

The contract for the project was awarded through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, as advertised on the World Wide Web, and in accordance with the Public Procurement Act.

The construction of Cotton Field Secondary School will provide modern classrooms, administrative offices, sports facilities, and other essential amenities to support a well-rounded learning environment for the students of Cotton Field and surrounding areas.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Education Minister, the Honourable Priya Manickchand, emphasized the importance of investing in education as a foundation for the country’s future.

“You are the stakeholders. Parents and community members and teachers. And so, this is not a school where they don't really even check it out. This is a school, I want the bills posted on the school where they can be observed, and I want you checking to see whether this is coming up to speed, whether this is being done in the way that we want it done, whether it's being done at the quality we want it done at, whether you pass it and you see two men on the site, or a full work site with people working.

This is your school. This is our school. And I expect your full involvement. This is not a ministry project. This is a Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast project, and so everybody in Essequibo Coast will come here and check it out if they want to, and that's what we want to see.

That kind of stakeholder involvement. And so, this morning gives me great pleasure to say that we are beginning the demolition, and then you will see going up a spanking new school. Where you will have trained teachers, and labs, and laboratories, and spaces that are conducive to learning.

And that is what we want for you. So, I want you to remember that. That this is what we want for you. To the students here, what do I want from you? I want you to give your best. I want you to do your best.”

The construction period for the school is slated for 18 months, with an anticipated completion date in August 2026. The project will also include a 12-month defects liability period to address any issues that may arise after completion.

The mobilization amount of G$179,813,776 has been allocated to begin the initial stages of the project, which will involve site preparation and procurement of materials.

The Ministry of Education, and, by extension, the Government of Guyana is committed to expanding and modernizing its education system as part of its broader vision for sustainable growth and development.

Through initiatives like the construction of the Cotton Field Secondary School, the Government is ensuring that Guyanese children have access to top-tier educational facilities that support their personal, academic, and professional growth.