THE Government of Guyana, through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), signed a $108,825,081 contract with Builders Hardware, General Supplies and Construction for a new Early Childhood Development Centre at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Based on information from the BNTF’s official Facebook page, in keeping with Sustainable Development Goal Four of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development— ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all— the Ministry of Education and the

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security are working towards meeting these targets through the implementation of robust programmes and also through partnerships with other agencies including BNTF.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a priority for the Government of Guyana and has been a key area in BNTF’s development agenda in Guyana.

Under the BNTF programme in Guyana, eight Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) have been constructed across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10 as well as an Early Childhood Centre of Excellence at the University of Guyana.
Under the 10th cycle, BNTF will be adding another ECDC along the East Bank of Demerara. The facility will have classrooms tailored for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school agers with an estimated intake of 47 students.
In addition, the building will have provisions for staff and visitors and the design caters for persons with disabilities.

The compound will also feature sufficient space for recreational activities. Works are scheduled to begin October 28, 2024. The Basic Needs Trust Fund is a cyclical grant funded programme by the Caribbean Development Bank that aims to reduce the incidence of poverty by targeting the cause of inequitable access to quality educational facilities for children in the early stages of their life.

Present at the signing were Karen Roopchand, Project Manager, BNTF; Ajay Bissessar, Project Engineer, BNTF; as well as the representatives of the Design & Supervision Consultant and the Contractor.