President Ali Opens $346.2M North West Secondary School

PRESS RELEASE | President Dr. Irfaan Ali Commissions Newly Rebuilt $346.2M North West Secondary School in Mabaruma

October 14, 2024 — President Dr. Irfaan Ali today commissioned the newly rebuilt North West Secondary School in Mabaruma, Region One, which was tragically destroyed by fire in September 2021, marking a significant step forward for education in the region.

The state-of-the-art facility, slated to accommodate some 575 students, features 23 classrooms, 3 laboratories; for the science areas of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, a technical drawing room, and various staff facilities, including washrooms for students with special needs and disabilities and dedicated offices for the Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster. The school also includes a janitor’s room, two modified elevators for accessibility, four canteens, and eight student washrooms, all designed to foster a conducive learning environment. To ensure safety, 11 fire alarms and smoke detectors will be installed in the school in a short time.

Constructed at $346.2M, the project was awarded to Aruca Investments, with Innovative Engineering Services serving as the project consultant.

This newly constructed school will serve children from various communities, including Hotoquai, Yarakita, Matthews Ridge, Sebai, Red Hill, Powaikuro, Wauna, Wanaina, Kamwatta, White Water, Hobodeia, St. John's, Kachikamo, St. Cyprians, Barasina, Black Water Savannah, St. Margaret’s, Thomas Hill, Mabaruma Settlement, Mabaruma Township, Mabaruma Compound, Kunaka, Barabina, Hosororo, Wayne, Arkansas, and beyond.

“We’re not stopping at this. We want to ensure that every teacher in the hinterland must have the ability to become a trained teacher from right where you teach. And every teacher in the hinterland who’s a trained teacher, must have the opportunity to become a trained graduate from right where you teach. It’s investment in your personal welfare, it’s investment in making you more competent, it’s investment in making you more valuable, it’s investment in making you more competitive,” he emphasized.

In her opening remarks, the Minister of Education, Honourable Priya Manickchand, reflected on the President's commitment to ensuring universal access to education upon assuming office.

“When we came into office in 2020, the President was clear to me with my mandate as Minister of Education. He said, ‘We want to make sure everybody anywhere in Guyana, wherever they live; on the highest mountaintop, in the lowest valley, wherever they are, they can get an education. Nursery, Primary, Secondary, and it must be an education of high quality’. So, he was talking about two things; access – you must be able to go into a school and sit down. And when you sit down in those desks and benches, you must able to get a high-quality education. And we set about doing just that, not just in Georgetown, but all across Guyana,” she noted.

She continued by affirming the Ministry's and Government's dedication to enhancing opportunities and development in the region.

“We believe that we have to give each of you a hand. We believe that, to build out Guyana, to grow this country, we have to get the talent of each and every child, of each and every adult. We have to make you the best you can be so that Guyana can benefit. But we don’t just say that in a fancy speech, we don’t just say that on a poster; we make sure when we’re saying it, it matches you with action.”

This new facility not only restores educational services to the community but also enhances the infrastructure, promoting a brighter future for the students of Mabaruma.

The Ministry of Education, and by extension, the government, remains committed to improving educational facilities nationwide, ensuring that all students have access to safe and modern learning environments.

This investment reflects the dedication to building a resilient education system that meets the needs of every child.