WITHIN the last two weeks, Guyana’s educational landscape has taken a dramatic turn for the better. The government of the day, through the Ministry of Education has no doubt given us hope that there is a bright future ahead for the nation’s children.

Over the past few years, the education sector has been plagued by unfortunate events, several of which were malicious in nature. These events caused a brief pause in the plans for the sector and also provided opportunities for all stakeholders to reflect not only on how students were and would be affected by the misfortunes, but also what is required to ensure that they get the top-notch education that is necessary for life after school.

Millions of dollars in contracts were recently signed to rebuild Christ Church Secondary School and the St. George’s Secondary School which were gutted by fire, displacing hundreds of students. The dilapidated St. Mary’s Secondary School on Brickdam will be also rebuilt at a cost of $560 million. The construction works for each school has a seven-month timeframe for completion.

The construction of the Abram Zuil Secondary School in Region Two was recently completed and students will soon begin to occupy the building.

However, what could be considered the sweetest accomplishment for the Education Ministry is the commissioning of the Good Hope Secondary School earlier this week.

The delays that marred the completion of this educational facility were unacceptable. The contract was signed in 2018, with a 15-month deadline for completion. Following the hiring of a new contractor, all of the outstanding works were recently completed.

Its non-completion hampered hundreds of students who were forced to attend other schools, some of which were located far from their homes.

What is remarkable about the new Good Hope Secondary School which can accommodate 1,000 students and approximately 60 teachers, is the amenities it has.

It has a multi-purpose hall for large gatherings and indoor sports, a canteen, and fully-equipped Home Economics and Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) buildings for skills-based learning.

Additionally, it has chemistry, physics and biology laboratories, and an Allied Arts Department, which caters for the music and visual arts, as well as a dance studio.
The school has been outfitted with everything that is necessary to produce well-rounded students.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has already revealed plans that would ensure that there are well-rounded students in the school system, which is all part of government’s vision to have better citizens and leaders.

This was reiterated by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali during the commissioning of the Good Hope Secondary School.

Using his own experience as a boy from a primary school in Region Three who was awestruck by the level of amenities present when he graduated to attending St Stanislaus College, one of the top secondary schools in the country, the President emphasised the importance of equitably distributed resources in a holistic education system.

For him and many other citizens, this equal access is the only way to create holistic citizens.

While it is commendable that state-of-the-art schools are being built around the country, Good Hope Secondary should serve as an example of what our schools ought to look like.

It’s not about having the best labs and a full complement of teachers. It doesn’t stop there. The focus must be on the other aspects of education that builds resilience and character, and prepares students for adulthood and all the trials and tribulations that come with it.

Children living in remote regions must not have to attend a school in Georgetown to experience a good education.

The President has acknowledged that his story is one that was told across the country of where there were great disparities in equality and expenditure and where regions were left lagging behind.

The commissioning of the Good Hope Secondary is a step towards creating that holistic education system that we all desire.