Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand yesterday turned the sod for the construction of a new block at the Tucville Secondary School.

A release from the Ministry of Education said that the  project, valued at $74,910,780, is scheduled to be completed within six months. The project is being executed by Kaveri Procurement Logistics and Investments Inc.

The new wing will comprise 16 modern classrooms.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/08/10/news/guyana/sod-turned-for-new-wing-at-tucville-secondary/

A state-of-the-art secondary school will soon be constructed in the community of Marurunau in Region Nine, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported on Friday.

During a  sod-turning ceremony on Friday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand underlined that the school will cater to the educational needs of students from the communities of Awarewaunau, Marurunau and Shea, upon completion.

The education minister said, “It is a secondary school that will cater for about 400 children. There will be dorms for the children from Awarewaunau and Shea…This project should finish by next June [2025] …I understand that the students from Arupanau now want to come here instead of going to Sand Creek.”

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/11/24/news/guyana/sod-turned-for-marurunau-secondary-school/

Popular storybooks, from Harry Potter to Captain Underpants, are now in libraries established in primary schools countrywide. This is part of a new Ministry of Education initiative to promote literacy by getting more children to read.

The Primary School Libraries initiative was launched Monday at the Grove Primary School on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand noted that the venture is a costly one, but the ministry believes it is necessary to help more children embrace reading.

“One set of these books costs a lot of money. … We know each parent can’t afford this, but we want to expose each child to these books, so we are putting them in all primary schools,” she said.

Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen well. In the education sector, it is considered the foundation of learning.

Minister Manickchand acknowledged this, noting that primary school children cannot become proficient in other subject areas (Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) unless they can read and comprehend well.

So, the library initiative has been launched, albeit with rules to guarantee that the books are used well. There will be librarians in the schools as well.

Source:https://newsroom.gy/2024/09/09/from-harry-potter-to-captain-underpants-primary-schools-get-storybooks-to-promote-literacy/

Some 200 children living with disabilities now have the opportunity to learn an important skill – swimming.

The Edward Mohamed  Swimming Pool opening at the Regional Special  Education Needs and Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre located at the Cyril Potter College of Education, at Turkeyen on the East Coast of Demerara.

The pool which was commissioned on Saturday was made possible through a generous donation from Trinidadian businessman and philanthropist, Teddy Mohamed. Mohamed is the owner of Mohamed Bookstores Associates Ltd. in Trinidad.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, highlighted the importance of the initiative which she said is essential for the holistic development of differently-abled children.

The minister noted that even if the children do not become proficient swimmers, engaging in extracurricular activities can significantly boost their confidence and calm them.

Minister Manickchand announced that the government will be replicating the initiative in Regions Three, Five, and Ten.

She emphasised the need for trained personnel such as lifeguards, to ensure the safety of the children.

“We are currently looking at building a pool for the Allied arts, where they can train lifeguards and other necessary personnel, not only for the pools we plan to construct for the disabled community, but also for the hotels and other establishments that will require these resources,” the minister stated.

Over the past three years, the government has placed a strong focus on special education learners. Keon Cheong was appointed as the Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Special Education Needs, supported by a Special Education Officer.

An Associate Degree programme in Special Education was also developed at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), with 49 students currently enrolled.

Additionally, through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), 150 individuals graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education Needs.

Furthermore, 11 new spaces were created in classrooms across the country geared to children with special needs.

According to minister Manickchand, the disability centre was initially constructed 2016 as a Caribbean diagnostic and treatment facility with assistance from Cuban counterparts.  At that time, it was intended to serve as a centre where children from across the Caribbean could be diagnosed and treated.

However, the programme was not advanced by the previous government. As a result, the current PPP/C administration is now working to ensure the facility is equipped with the necessary resources, including speech therapists, psychologists, and physiotherapists.

Minister Manickchand reiterated the government’s commitment to putting Guyanese at the centre of the country’s development, especially those living with permanent disabilities.

“We are very sure as a government that with this new buildout of Guyana, people will be at the forefront of our priority list. And so, our children will enjoy priority status, our women, our Amerindian and hinterland residents, everybody is going to get attention,” she affirmed.

Teddy Mohamed explained what inspired him to donate the funds to build the  pool. He said that his child was born with a damaged retina and the lack of physical facilities in Trinidad meant that he had to personally teach his son how to swim.

The Trinidadian businessman said the experience inspired him to assist children with disabilities in Guyana. [Extracted and modified from the Department of Public Information] 

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/10/06/200-children-with-disabilities-to-benefit-from-newly-commissioned-swimming-pool/

Children from Cashew Island in New River, Region Six and the Lower and Middle Mazaruni in Region Seven, will benefit from the construction of new schools, providing equitable access to quality  education.

This was disclosed by Minister of  Education, Priya Manickchand on Wednesday, during the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal.

A brand-new primary school will be constructed at Cashew Island.

“Education is important to us…We are building and repairing nursery, primary and secondary schools all across Guyana. And that is what you call equity,” the minister stated.

These include secondary schools in Northwest, Hosororo, Waramuri, Matthews Ridge, Kabakaburi, Orealla, Jawalla, Phillipai, Monkey Mountain, Kopinang, Micobaie, Karasabai, Nappi and Massara.

The education minister revealed that Kwebanna Secondary in Region One is slated to be completed by the end of the year.

This is due to a few logistical challenges relating to the transportation of building materials.

At the nursery level, 13 learning institutions will be constructed in various areas in Region Nine, including Parabara, Bashaizon, Semonie, and Quatata.

In 2024, construction will commence on primary schools at Kuribrong, Lake Mainstay, and other areas.

Minister Manickchand also highlighted that hinterland and riverine communities are benefitting from a plethora of educational interventions to enhance their livelihoods.

In terms of transportation in the hinterland, the ministry is currently compiling a comprehensive list which will determine where transportation is needed.

“We are currently looking village by village, school by school, to see where we need boats and buses. And we are putting that list together. We had a conversation with the president about it,” Minister Manickchand highlighted.

Pupils in the hinterland communities are also receiving nutritional meals through the school feeding programme.

Meanwhile, the government continues to intensify efforts to increase access to distance education through the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC) and the ministry’s radio station, EDYOU FM.

To increase access to educational content in hinterland and remote areas, televisions, solar systems, satellites and radios were provided to many communities.

Over the years, the complement of trained teachers has also increased in the hinterland. Persons there were provided with scholarships through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) to pursue various programmes at accredited universities.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/08/23/cashew-island-mazaruni-to-get-new-schools/

Minister of  Education Priya Manickchand on Tuesday announced the launch of concise study notes for Social Studies and  Science subjects, specifically designed for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

“What this does is put all that heavy notes that your children usually get, exercise books upon exercise books into a concise form.

“So if they know this and they answer questions in and around these notes and they understand these concepts they are bang on ready for those exams,” the Education Minister said during a Facebook address.

The study notes are designed for pupils in grades four, five and six.

The notes are currently being printed to be distributed across the country, but Minister Manickchand acknowledged that the process takes time due to public bidding. In the meantime, the study notes are available on the Ministry of Education’s website.

Children’s Mathematics, English, and Social Studies performances at the 2024 NGSA improved this year. However, Science scores dipped slightly, even as the average science grade remained relatively the same.

English pass rates increased to 66.79 percent from 64.47 percent last year, Social Studies from 58.57 percent last year to 62.88 percent this year, and Mathematics from 38.87 percent last year to 40.36 percent this year.

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/11/19/concise-study-notes-to-help-pupils-with-social-studies-science-at-ngsa/

Texila American University-Guyana on Tuesday commissioned a new state-of-the-art facility for learning, support, and independent study. The newly commissioned study centre, located at Suddie, on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, has university-style study spaces that can accommodate up to 30 students and is equipped with laptops.

Special guest speaker at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand who officially commissioned the Texila American University Study Centre declared that it marked “a significant step in enhancing access to higher education for students in Region Two.” Manickchand was joined by Director of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) Dr Jacob Opadeyi. The new facility will serve as a dedicated space for all students in Region Two currently pursuing higher education through the GOAL program.

Minister Manickchand, in her remarks, emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities across the country. “This study centre aligns with our mission of ensuring every student, regardless of where they live, has the tools and support necessary to pursue their educational dreams,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Dr Opadeyi lauded the initiative noting that it will further strengthen GOAL’s efforts to provide accessible, quality education to all regions of Guyana. He added that, “it is a commitment to life. It is important that the government invests more in education to ensure that all have access to quality education…”

Dean of the university Dr Dheeraj Bansal in his address expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in making the study centre possible. “This effort aims to bring new opportunities to underserved areas, with plans for future expansion. We will have a mentor at the centre daily to help guide students through the wealth of available information, helping them navigate their learning journey. The initiative also envisions offering remote classes, providing expert instruction on challenging concepts. This is just the beginning of an ongoing effort to expand educational access and support student success,” Bansal said.

From 2021 to date, 2703 people from Essequibo are pursuing degree, master and PhD programmes at no cost to themselves in foreign universities on the government’s GOAL scholarship programme. Some 220 of them are studying at the Texila American University.  The Study Centre will be open to all students in the region, from Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 5 pm. And Saturdays 8 am – 1 pm.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/10/18/news/guyana/new-texila-study-centre-opened-at-suddie/

A state-of-the-art secondary school will soon be constructed in the community of Marurunau in Region Nine, providing the students with a conducive learning environment.

The undertaking demonstrates the government’s goal in ensuring that children in the hinterland regions also have better access to  educational opportunities.

During a simple sod-turning ceremony on Friday, Minister of  Education, Priya Manickchand underlined that the school will cater to the educational needs of students from the communities of Awarewaunau, Marurunau and Shea, upon completion.

The education minister said, “It is a secondary school that will cater for about 400 children. There will be dorms for the children from Awarewaunau and Shea…This project should finish by next June [2025] …I understand that the students from Arupanau now want to come here instead of going to Sand Creek.”

She mentioned that three contractors will be executing this project, ensuring a timely completion.

The ministry is also making sure that the schools have trained teachers to deliver high-quality education.

She went on to say, “I am very pleased to say that we are currently training the most teachers that have ever been trained right here in Region Nine. So, by next year, we will have 100 per cent of our teachers in Region Nine trained or in training.”

Numerous schools are under construction in the region including twelve nurseries, seven primary and seven secondary schools.

Meanwhile, Minister Manickchand also commissioned Quiko Primary and a new library at Nappi Primary.

She also conducted a site visit to evaluate the progression of works on the new Nappi Secondary. When completed, this school will have the capacity to accommodate 350 students.

Works are underway on a modern secondary school in Yupukari village. Upon completion, this school will also serve students from Fly Hill and Quatata villages.

The contract for Marurunau Secondary valued $175,525,300 was awarded to Sheriff Construction Inc.

The government’s commitment to bridging the educational gap between the coastland and the hinterland regions areas is demonstrated by the construction of these schools (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/11/24/sod-turned-for-new-marurunau-secondary-school-in-region-nine/

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand has emphasised the crucial role of parents in ensuring their children utilise the available resources, attend school regularly, and actively practice to boost Mathematics scores countrywide.

This was the overarching encouragement on Wednesday as the ministry kicked off its Mathematics Intervention Awareness Campaign with visits to schools in Pomeroon-Supenaam.

The campaign brought together ministry officials, parents, teachers, and students from several schools, including Charity Secondary, Cotton Field Secondary, Joanna Cecilia Secondary, Abram Zuil Secondary, and Aurora Secondary School.

The campaign aims to promote the National Mathematics Intervention Programme, which was launched in September.

The programme targets some 50 schools nationwide and seeks to enhance the performance of teachers and students in Mathematics, through the introduction of Math monitors.

“The whole aim was to let them know that they can pass Mathematics once they use the resources we have. We believe that once they have the resources and they are supervised in their usage of them, we can make sure our children do better than they are doing now,” the minister said during a live recap.

The ministry provides resources such as past paper booklets, geometry sets, scientific calculators, graph books, and textbooks to every child nationwide.

The minister has expressed confidence that these measures will boost the national pass rate for Mathematics in 2025 to at least 40 per cent, compared to 34 per cent in 2023 and 31 per cent in 2024.

Coordinator for the Mathematics Intervention and Education Officer at the National Centre for Research and Development, Sir Leon Beaton also accompanied the minister on this visit.

He pointed to several interactive programmes under his gamut, such as ‘Beating Da Maths’, a series where students are challenged with fun and tricky math questions. This series makes math enjoyable, as well as deepens students’ understanding of the subject.

Additionally, to address any concerns or request additional assistance, a hotline number 736-MATH is available for teachers and others involved.

The rollout of this initiative follows an instruction from President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to implement immediate remedial measures in schools (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

Source: https://newsroom.gy/2024/11/07/math-intervention-campaign-launched-in-essequibo/

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand yesterday turned the sod to commence the construction of the new Orealla Secondary School.

Located in Orealla, a village along the Corentyne River, this project is worth $198,866,010, a release from the ministry said.

The new Orealla Secondary School will feature six modern classrooms, four specialized laboratories, and a well-equipped library, aimed at providing a high-quality learning environment for approximately 180 students. The facility will serve the educational needs of students from both Orealla and the nearby Siparuta area, addressing a critical gap in educational resources.

Awarded through a competitive bidding process in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, the project has been entrusted to 4S Security & Building Enterprise, under the supervision of CEMCO Incorporated.

The initial mobilization amount for the project is $59,659,803. Construction began on September 2, 2024, with an anticipated completion within six months.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/09/08/news/guyana/sod-turned-for-198m-orealla-secondary-school/