On Monday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, officially turned the sod to mark the start of the construction of a new nursery school in the hinterland community of Rockstone, Region 10.

A release yesterday from the Ministry of Education said that the new nursery school will be constructed by Ele’s Trading & Hardware. The project, valued at $52,180,950, will be completed within six months.

To facilitate the start of this project, a mobilization amount of $15,654,285 has already been allocated. Once completed, the nursery school will benefit approximately 150 children from Rockstone and its surrounding areas.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony,  Manickchand emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that every child, regardless of their geographic location, has access to quality education.

“The construction of this new nursery school is more than just a building; it represents our unwavering commitment to the future of our children and the development of our country. Education is the foundation upon which we build a brighter future, and we are ensuring that every child in Guyana has that opportunity,” Manickchand stated.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/08/14/news/guyana/new-nursery-school-for-rockstone/

A newly refurbished Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre, designed to enhance technical and vocational training, was officially commissioned on Wednesday by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

Located on the West Coast of Demerara, the state-of-the-art facility represents a significant investment in the development of Guyana’s workforce and the country’s technical education infrastructure.

The total cost of the rehabilitation was US$1.2M which covers improvements to the infrastructure, procurement of tools and equipment, as well as the provision of ICT equipment and furnishings.

The upgraded centre will accommodate up to 400 students, providing them with the practical skills necessary to meet the demands of an evolving job market.

Minister Manickchand, speaking at the commissioning event, stressed that the opening of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre marks a significant milestone in the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to produce highly skilled students who are prepared for the modern job market.

“This centre plays a crucial role in the Government of Guyana’s vision to create educational opportunities that ensure every child can have a bright future in the new Guyana we are building,” she said.

The Minister encouraged students to make full use of the resources available at the centre, urging them to embrace the skills and training on offer.

The rehabilitation of the Fellowship Centre is part of the larger Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP), which is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

This initiative involves the refurbishment and expansion of Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) across Regions Three, Four, and Five, as well as Practical Instruction Departments (PIDs) in hinterland secondary schools.

The goal is to strengthen technical vocational education and training (TVET) throughout the country.

The centre will offer training in areas such as electrical work, woodworking, and food and nutrition. Graduates will be able to earn Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ), enabling them to either enter the workforce with confidence, start their own businesses, or pursue further education.

In addition to the commissioning, the Office of the Deputy Chief Education Officer with Responsibility for Technical Education made a generous donation to the centre, including 20 helmets, 20 safety vests, 20 pairs of gloves, and 20 pairs of goggles.

Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer-Technical, also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to advancing TVET across Guyana.

He noted that partnerships with key funding agencies such as the CDB are essential to ensuring that all citizens have access to quality technical education.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/10/10/new-fellowship-practical-instruction-centre-opens/

Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Monday told the News Room that the government will meet with officials of the University of Guyana (UG) later this week to discuss the upcoming graduation ceremonies and funding for the institution.

This meeting follows an announcement by President Dr. Irfaan Ali that tuition fees at the university will be abolished from January, 2025.

“We are meeting with the university within the next couple of days to determine how we can move forward sensibly and in the interest of all but we are not going to be shaken from the path of delivering free university education which people in this country asked for and we delivered,” Minister Manickchand said.

UG, in a statement, said it supports the tuition-free agenda but noted that tuition fees usually cover a lot of the university’s operating expenses.

For the past four years, UG added that in support of the anticipated free tuition, it has allowed many students to attend and complete their studies without fully paying fees.

“The government has been clear we are going to offer free tuition, I understand why free tuition might cause nervousness in political quarters that are not associated with the government, because that is a very popular programme.

“I think that is unfortunate because anything that develops our young people should be embraced by all,” Manickchand noted.

On October 10, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced during a special address to the 12th Parliament of Guyana that starting January 2025, tuition fees will be completely abolished at UG.

This initiative is set to benefit about 11,000 current students and will cost about $8 billion.

In addition to the abolition of tuition fees at UG, President Ali on October 16, announced the abolition of tuition fees for all government and technical institutions, including the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Guyana School of Agriculture.

The tuition fees at these institutions will also be eliminated starting in January 2025.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/10/22/free-ug-govt-to-meet-with-university-administration-this-week/

The Ministry of Education will begin the distribution of the $45,000 ‘Because We Care’ cash grant for school children across the country from next Monday.

More than 200,000 children from public and private schools will benefit from the annual cash grant distribution, which includes the school uniform and supplies voucher.

“This is a grant for public and private schools’ children who are in school. The eligibility criteria are that you have to be on the register, you had to be attending school and you had to return your text books to be able to access the grant. This is going to be happening all across Guyana over the two-week period for collection and distribution,” the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand said.

Every public and private school child from Nursery Year One to Grade 10 in High Schools, who is on a school’s register and is attending school will be eligible to receive the grant.

The Education Minister explained that if parents or guardians are unable to uplift the grants on the scheduled date, they can visit their respective Regional Education Office to uplift the grant at a time that is convenient to them.

Additionally, it was explained that persons can authorise a third party to uplift the grant on their behalf, if they are unable to do so themselves.

Persons are also reminded to walk with the relevant identification documents, which include either a national identification card (ID) or a passport.

If a person cannot present a valid form of ID, one can provide a verification letter that has been verified by the school’s principal, village leader or Toshao.

The Auditor General’s office is expected to oversee the distribution of the cash grant in all of the regions.

Source: https://newssourcegy.com/education/distribution-of-45000-cash-grant-for-school-children-to-begin-next-week/

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Tuesday inaugurated new libraries at the Tuschen Primary School, Greenwich Park Primary School, and Parika-Salem Primary School.

A release from the Ministry of Education said that she also took the opportunity to hold public meetings with residents of these areas. Her visit to the three schools was part of the Ministry’s initiative to expand access to library resources in primary schools. The libraries, which will serve as key educational hubs, are designed to foster literacy, creativity, and independent learning among students.

At the Tuschen Primary School, the release said that the Minister held a lively discussion with  residents, addressing various concerns ranging from the quality of infrastructure to public health and community safety. While some of the issues raised were beyond the scope of the Ministry,  Manickchand assured the residents that these concerns would be forwarded to the relevant authorities and addressed.

At Greenwich Park, the release said that  Manickchand  explained ongoing education reforms and how they will benefit both students and teachers. She also listened to issues raised by parents and teachers about infrastructure needs, student transport, and other community challenges.

At the Parika-Salem Primary School, the Minister engaged with both parents and teachers, addressing their questions about the education system and listening to challenges they face in the community. Beyond educational matters, issues such as road conditions and healthcare services were also raised.  Manickchand expressed her commitment to ensuring these matters were brought to the attention of the appropriate ministries for follow-up and action. 

The Minister also reaffirmed her support for the Libraries in Primary Schools Initiative, highlighting that access to books and educational materials is crucial for the intellectual growth of children and for creating well-rounded citizens.   

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/11/14/news/guyana/minister-commissions-school-libraries-on-east-bank-of-essequibo/

At a cost of $61.1m, the St. Gabriel’s Nursery School was yesterday commissioned.

A release from the Ministry of Education said that the facility is equipped with modern classrooms, interactive learning environments, and outdoor play areas that are designed to foster both academic growth and social development for young children.

The construction commenced in March 2022 at a total cost of $60,100,000. The project, undertaken by contractor Trevon David, was completed within a seven-month period, followed by an additional seven months for defects liability. The new facility accommodates 161 pupils and 13 staff members across 10 classrooms, divided equally into 5 first-year and 5 second-year classrooms.

Minister of Education,  Priya Manickchand in her remarks, noted that although Nursery Education is not mandated in Guyana, the country has the highest enrolment rate of nursery age children in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

“That is Guyana’s interest in education, and because Nursery education is not compulsory, it has never received the same kind of infrastructure, the same kind of attention that Primary and Secondary has. But from 2020 to now, we have built 42 Nursery schools across this country. I so often speak of the secondary schools we’re building, that I don’t think people realize it’s across the sector that we’re developing our physical infrastructure for children”, she said.

She stated that the nursery education years are most vital in children’s young lives.

“We see it all the time. If the nursery teachers put out children who cannot read at their grade level, then the entire system feels that. They go into Grade One and struggle, to Grade Two and struggle, reach Grade Six and can’t write a single word on the NGSA paper, and so, this is the level where we’re investing significantly to ensure they’re getting the foundation they need,” the Minister said.

Source:  https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/09/07/news/guyana/st-gabriels-nursery-school-commissioned/

In a significant development for Guyana’s educational landscape, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, officially turned the sod for the construction of a new $386 million Teachers’ Block at President’s College on Monday.

This ceremony marks the beginning of a major project aimed at enhancing the educational infrastructure of the institution.

The construction contract has been awarded to Jaspal Mohabir of Mohabir’s Construction, and is expected to be completed within 12 months, bringing advanced educational facilities to President’s College.

The new teachers’ block will be a modern two-storey building designed to enhance both teaching and learning environments. The ground floor will include nine advanced classrooms, a sanitary block, and an administrative office, while the upper floor will feature eleven additional classrooms and a comprehensive library. The integration of modern science labs into the new building will significantly enhance the college’s science curriculum, providing students with innovative hands-on learning opportunities.

Minister Priya Manickchand, who led the sod-turning ceremony, emphasized the importance of investing in education and infrastructure, noting that the new teachers’ block will not only address the immediate needs for modern educational facilities but also pave the way for future advancements in teaching and learning.

The ceremony was attended by notable figures from the educational and construction sectors, and highlighted the collective efforts and commitment to advancing education in Guyana, with a shared vision of fostering an enriching environment for both students and educators. (Ministry of Education press release)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/08/20/presidents-college-to-get-386m-teachers-block/

Students of Queen’s College will benefit from the newly- commissioned state-of-the-art Industrial Technology and Home Economics building.

The building includes six new labs: three for Industrial Arts subjects and three for Home Economics. With this facility, students of the college will be better- -equipped to learn technical skills.

During remarks, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand acknowledged that while the country needs doctors, lawyers, and parliamentarians, the need for vocational training is becoming increasingly vital, as there is a growing demand for skilled labour in Guyana.

“We need a labour force that can look after the needs of Guyana and the conversation right now in the world is an interesting one, whether or not the academic degrees are worth as much as the skills training certificates,” Manickchand said.

With that consideration in mind, Minister Manickchand said students now have the opportunity to complete the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs) during high school or the traditional Caribbean Secondary Education Certificates (CSEC) subjects.

“We are trying to give a wider range of opportunities to all of our students to all, all our children, to all our young people,” the minister stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Manickchand also highlighted the importance of practical education and added that students must be able to make their own breakfast, prepare dinner, make their beds, and sew on buttons by third form.

Deputy Chief Education Officer, with responsibility for technical education, Dr. Ritesh Tularam, encouraged students to consider careers in technical and vocational fields.

“This is what will make you employable, and the lifelong learning skills we talked about, technical and vocation education and training will gravitate you towards, it will help you to realise what are your fullest potentialities,” Dr. Tularam said.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/10/22/focus-on-technical-skills-as-new-building-commissioned-at-qc/

The small community of Phillipai in Cuyuni Mazaruni, Region Seven, is set to benefit from a major educational boost with the groundbreaking of the Phillipai Secondary School, a project marked by a recent visit from Minister of Education Priya Manickchand.

Minister Manickchand’s visit featured a ceremonial sod-turning event, officially marking the start of construction for the new school. During her engagement with residents, she addressed their concerns and highlighted the benefits the new facility will bring to the community.

“The new Phillipai Secondary School is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible and quality education,” Minister Manickchand said. She outlined the government’s broader educational initiatives, including the School Feeding Programme. This program, she noted, ensures that students receive nutritious meals, which are crucial for effective learning.

“We introduced the School Feeding Programme because we want to make sure your children learn,” Manickchand explained. “Research shows that you cannot learn on an empty stomach. We started this initiative in the mid-2000s, even when our country was heavily indebted. We focused on Amerindian villages and became a global model for successful implementation.”

Minister Manickchand underscored the government’s dedication to action over rhetoric. “When we say we love you, it’s not just words; it’s about actions that change your lives,” she emphasized. “We come here with a straightforward approach, not fancy language, but with tangible benefits.”

The Phillipai Secondary School, with an estimated cost of G$275,230,000, will feature three main blocks: Home Economics and Visual Arts classrooms, a well-equipped library, eight classrooms with sanitary facilities, an administrative area, and a sick bay. The initial mobilization amount of G$82,569,000 has been allocated, and the project is expected to be completed within eight months.

Upon completion, the school will cater to approximately 240 students from Phillipai and surrounding communities, including Amokokopai, Klaimalu, Wayalayeng, Chimanapai, Emoikeng, Chinoweing, and Wax Creek.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/09/04/new-secondary-school-to-transform-education-delivery-in-phillipai/

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand Monday turned the sod to mark the commencement of the construction of a new nursery school in the village of Rockstone, Region 10.

The new nursery school will be constructed by Ele’s Trading & Hardware. The project, valued at G$52,180,950, will be completed within six months.

To facilitate the start of this vital infrastructure, a mobilization amount of G$15,654,285 has already been allocated.

Once completed, the nursery school will benefit approximately 150 children from Rockstone and its surrounding areas, providing them with a safe and conducive learning environment during their formative years.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Minister Manickchand emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that every child, regardless of their geographic location, has access to quality education. She highlighted that the construction of this nursery school is a testament to the Ministry of Education’s dedication to bridging the educational gap in hinterland communities.

“The construction of this new nursery school is more than just a building; it represents our unwavering commitment to the future of our children and the development of our country. Education is the foundation upon which we build a brighter future, and we are ensuring that every child in Guyana has that opportunity,” Minister Manickchand stated.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, bringing much-needed educational facilities to Rockstone, which will play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of leaders from this community. [Ministry of Education Press Release]

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/08/13/new-nursery-school-at-rockstone-to-be-completed-by-year-end/