– brings coast-level facilities to Region Nine

THE quiet community of Massara Village in Region Nine came alive on Friday as residents, educators, and students gathered to witness a transformative moment, the commissioning of the $300 million Massara Secondary School by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.
For decades, hinterland students in communities such as Massara, Yarakinta, Toka, and Kwaimatta faced the challenge of long commutes, limited facilities, and in some cases, the prospect of leaving home altogether in order to pursue secondary education. That reality shifted this week with the unveiling of a modern learning institution designed to accommodate 250 students and provide them with opportunities on par with their peers on the coastland.

“This school is a symbol of our continued investment in the future of the nation’s youth,” Minister Manickchand declared at the ceremony. “It represents our promise that no matter where a child lives, he or she should have equal access to a sound, quality education.”
The new facility boasts 16 purpose-built rooms, including 10 classrooms and five specialised laboratories outfitted for Information Technology, Science, Home Management and Food & Nutrition, Visual Arts, and Industrial Technology. A well-stocked library completes the campus, offering students a dedicated space for research, reading, and independent learning.
With this array of resources, students in Massara and surrounding villages will be able to engage in hands-on, skills-oriented learning—an important step in preparing them for the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce.
Massara is now the third community in Region Nine to benefit from new secondary school infrastructure, following the recent completion of schools in Yupukari and Katoka. It also stands as the fourteenth school to be commissioned nationally since the current administration launched its ambitious education reform agenda.
Across the country, 42 new secondary schools are in various stages of construction, including in Maruranau, Nappi, Tabatinga, Shulinab, Karaudarnau, and Karasabai. The government’s ultimate goal is to achieve universal access to secondary education, ensuring every child—whether in Georgetown or in the Rupununi—can complete their studies in a safe and supportive environment.

CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN COAST AND HINTERLAND
For hinterland residents, the school’s opening is more than just an infrastructural achievement—it represents equity. For years, disparities in access to education meant many rural students faced limited choices. The new Massara Secondary School is part of a strategy to bridge this divide by not only providing classrooms, but also investing in teacher quality and holistic student success.
“Here in Massara, this building is more than brick and mortar—it’s an opportunity for our children to dream bigger and reach higher,” a resident remarked after the ceremony.
Education, the government has consistently stressed, is central to Guyana’s long-term growth. By equipping young people with knowledge and skills, initiatives like the Massara Secondary School contribute to building human capital that can drive the nation’s development.
Region Nine, in particular, is now poised to strengthen its role as a hub of academic excellence. With students no longer burdened by long, costly commutes, they can focus on their studies while remaining rooted in their communities.
As Minister Manickchand noted, “This is a place where minds will be nurtured and potentials realised. It will not only benefit students today but generations to come.”
With its doors now open, Massara Secondary School is more than just a new building—it is a beacon of hope, progress, and opportunity, shaping the future of Guyana one student at a time.