-quality education no longer a distant promise, but a living reality in Guyana
-President Ali says, as New Brickdam Secondary commissioned

QUALITY education in Guyana is no longer a distant achievement but now a living reality as the government continues investments in building out the necessary infrastructure to ready the nation’s children for the future.

This is according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who, during the commissioning of the new Brickdam Secondary School, said the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration’s goal is ‘clear, bold and unyielding’.

“By September 2026, we will achieve universal secondary education. That is, every single child will have secondary education. That means every child, whether in the bustling streets of Georgetown or the remote villages of the hinterland, will have access to secondary schooling,” the Head of State told a gathering of parents, students, and teachers in a spanking, modern auditorium of the new facility.

The building that once housed Brickdam Secondary was deemed unusable in 2016; the government moved to have the facility rebuilt, now boasting 22 classrooms, several of which offer ‘smart’ technology, three staffrooms, a counselling room, and other amenities.

‘DEVELOPING A COMPLETE HUMAN BEING’
President Ali further pointed out that while the investments are being made to ensure that Guyana realises its goal of achieving universal secondary education, equally important is ensuring that students have a well-rounded education that provides them with a balance.

“But there is something that is bothering me, and that we have to address, and that is developing a complete human; a complete human being, understanding what real human capital really is, and understanding that in our national ecosystem, sports and physical education play a very important role,” President Ali said.
As such, he has mandated that schools dedicate half-a-day of lessons to practical, recreational, and sports activities.

“I want to see in the education system Friday afternoons after lunch completely dedicated to sports and physical education,” he said. “I believe strongly that if we are to make a shift from this’ from the device-led world to a human-led world, we need to make these important changes.”

EDUCATORS
Since 2020, the government has injected almost $600 billion into the education sector, and while a portion of these monies has been invested in infrastructure, building new schools, and rehabilitating existing ones, investments have been made in supporting educators.

“We are incentivizing every single level of educational attainment for our teachers, because we know when they train and become better, they will give our children better quality education,” President Ali said. “Our teachers and all those in the education sector can be assured in the coming years of not only greater salaries, but also greater opportunities to invest in your country.”
He noted that the goal remains to create a world-class education system that empowers people, strengthens communities, and drives national development.

“We envision an education system that is accessible, inclusive, equitable, and provides the best education. It is a system that equips every learner, regardless of geography or background, with the knowledge, skills, and values to thrive in a rapidly changing world; a system where every child’s potential is unlocked, where no talent is wasted, and where education is a bridge to dreams,” the president said, adding:

“We are creating safe, modern and inspiring environments where dreams can take root and grow, and by doing so, we are building a stronger, smarter and more prosperous Guyana.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand disclosed that the new school will accommodate over 485 students, with 51 teachers, 25 of whom are already trained.
She noted, too, that by the start of the new school term, the school will boast a fully trained staff of educators.

“Your servants should change your life, and we are your servants in a way that you never knew it was horrible before,” she said, referencing the condition of the old structure that was unable to adequately cater to students and teachers.

According to Minister Manickchand, the Brickdam Secondary School recorded a 95 per cent pass rate at the recent Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) with an 80 per cent matriculation.

“This is the deliverance! This is a tangible expression of our love for you; our love for your children,” she said.
The school’s Head Teacher Ms. Yvette McBean Hawker celebrated the commissioning of the new building as a significant milestone for public education in Guyana.  She emphasised the symbolic importance of the facility, noting that it is not just ‘concrete and steel’, but represents progress and equal access to quality education.