THE Ministry of Education (MoE) on Wednesday officially opened a new sixth-form block at the West Demerara Secondary School in Region Three, marking a significant milestone for the region’s education system. The new two-storey facility, valued at $27 million, can now accommodate up to 150 students and is equipped with five classrooms dedicated to Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students.

During the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand highlighted a remarkable increase in the number of students sitting for the CAPE exams in Region Three. In 2020, no students in the region took the CAPE exams, but today, 33 students are doing so—demonstrating a growing interest in advanced education within the region.

Minister Manickchand also announced ambitious plans for further education development in Region Three. This includes the construction of a new secondary school at Vreed-en-Hoop, aimed at reducing the need for students to travel long distances for schooling. “In about two years’ time, we’re going to have all the secondary schools remade right here in Region Three, to the point where children won’t need to travel far to get to a secondary school,” the minister stated.

Additionally, the minister shared plans to enhance the West Demerara Secondary School campus with a pool and a multipurpose basketball court, further supporting the holistic development of students.

The Ministry of Education is committed to building an inclusive and adaptive education system across Guyana, thereby ensuring that that every child, from nursery to secondary school, has access to high-quality education. Through investments in infrastructure and an emphasis on lifelong learning, the ministry aims to prepare students for successful careers in an evolving global landscape.

This latest development underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to guarantee not only access to education, but also the provision of high standards and rigorous monitoring to ensure excellence at all levels.