MoE & GDF Unite to Advance President Ali’s Vision for Physical Education

The Ministry of Education is moving rapidly to fulfil President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s call for every public school to dedicate Friday afternoons to physical education, sports and recreation.

Today, Minister of Education, Hon. Sonia Parag, led a high-level delegation in discussions with senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to chart the path for rolling out this transformative initiative.

The Ministry’s team included Mr. Saddam Hussain, Chief Education Officer; Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, Adviser to the Minister of Education (Tertiary Education Reform); Mrs. Mischka White-Griffith, Parliamentary Secretary & Chief Planning Officer; Ms. Tiffany Harvey, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Admin); and Mr. Nicholas Fraser, Head of the Unit of Allied Arts.

They met with Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, Chief of Defence Staff; Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, Colonel General Staff; Lieutenant Colonel Julian Archer, Staff Officer Training and Operations; and Captain Kevveon Lewis, Personal Assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff. The collaboration between the Ministry and the GDF is designed to ensure that the programme is effectively structured, well-supported, and reaches students in every region of the country.

President Ali has made clear that dedicating time each week to physical activity is about more than play; it is about building future leaders prepared in mind and body, fostering healthier lifestyles, and instilling values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience.

By reducing sedentary habits and tackling screen addiction, the initiative aims to prepare children to thrive not only academically but also physically and socially.

Minister Parag emphasised that the Ministry is committed to translating this vision into reality, noting that the partnership with the GDF will bring expertise and organisation to the programme’s nationwide implementation. Investments are already being made in recreational facilities, tarmacs, and trained physical education teachers, ensuring that every child has access to meaningful physical development opportunities.

This joint effort reflects the broader goal of creating an education system that nurtures well-rounded citizens, equipped with the knowledge, values, and healthy habits to contribute to Guyana’s continued growth and development.