advancing quality education for all children

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Wednesday commissioned the newly constructed Onderneeming Primary School in Region Two.
The project, valued at $154,551,596, was awarded to Builders Hardware and General Supplies, with E & A Consultants Incorporated serving as the consultant.
Funding for the school came from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana under the Basic Needs Trust Fund 10th Programme.
Minister Manickchand, Senior Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, and CDB President Daniel Best conducted the official ribbon-cutting and plaque unveiling.

During her address, Minister Manickchand highlighted that Guyana once had the highest literacy rate in the Caribbean before 1992. She emphasised that with the country’s newfound wealth; the government is committed to achieving universal education. To this end, the Ministry of Education continues to invest in building schools and dormitories to ensure access to quality education for all. She also stressed the importance of parental involvement in the education system.

Minister Manickchand noted that teacher training remains a priority for the government as it strives to improve educational outcomes across the country.
Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, reiterated that there is no greater investment than in education. He emphasised President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Guyana completes secondary school. He highlighted the expansion of secondary schools across the country and the establishment of new primary and nursery schools in previously underserved areas.
Dr Singh also spoke about the government’s aggressive rollout of special needs education programmes, ensuring that children with disabilities have access to quality nursery and primary education. He noted that the

government’s cash grant initiative for schoolchildren is already yielding positive results, reflecting the region’s academic improvements.
CDB President Daniel Best described the commissioning of the school as a significant milestone, regardless of its location. He called it a living testament to President Ali’s commitment to investing in human capital. Best emphasised that education is the most effective way out of poverty and serves as the foundation for national development.
“This is what development is all about—ensuring children have opportunities,” he stated.

Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva expressed her satisfaction with the new school, noting that Region Two is undergoing significant transformation across various sectors.
The commissioning of the Onderneeming Primary School marks another step in Guyana’s ongoing efforts to enhance its education system and provide equal learning opportunities for all children.